Venkatesh Prasad on Sunday ripped apart team management to back Shubnam Gill to play test cricket again and again even after consistent failures.
“I have a lot of regard for Shubhman Gill’s talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 30 after 30 Innings in international cricket is ordinary. Can’t think of many who have been given so many chances,” Venkatesh Prasad tweeted.
He further went on to say that he has been consistently inconsistent, a title which no batsman playing for India in international cricket wants to associate with themselves.
The 23 year old batsman from Fazika, Punjab had seen some success playing ODI and T20 cricket for India, with an average of 65 and 40 respectively with 4 hundreds in ODI.
But when it comes to the red ball, the number drops drastically, with an average of 31 in 31 innings, at the top of the order, Venkatesh Prasad has got some numbers behind him to justify his statement.
With a total of 31 runs in World Test Championship final, Shubman Gill will have to soon find his rhythm, as selectors already are under a lot of pressure for not picking Sarfaraz Khan.
Recently Ponting also emphasized on how a batsman with an average of 75 is consistently ignored by selectors. Sunil Gavaskar also previously has come in support of Sarfaraz deserving a place in test squad.
Prasad believes that Gill’s selection was based on favouritism rather than his skill and performance.
“When there are so many waiting in the wings & in top form. Shaw is in sublime form , Sharfaraz has been scoring tons in FC cricket and many who deserve a chance ahead of Gill. Some are just lucky to be given chances endlessly till they succeed while some aren’t allowed to,” he added.
“Gill’s selection is not based on performance but favouritism. Has been Consistently inconsistent. One of the reasons why many ex-cricketers aren’t vocal despite seeing such favouritism..,” he further stated.
The 23-year-old managed to score 353 runs in seven Test matches outside Asia. The opener had a below-par average of 29.41. He scored only 84 runs in his last seven innings, with a best score of just 28.
The talent which Gill has, he soon will want Venkatesh Prasad on his side by producing some match winning performances, as things can change so fast in cricket and there is so much talent in India who are waiting for their opportunity.
