Allow him to replace Gill in the starting XI for the third Twenty20 international against New Zealand, says an ex-Pakistani great.

Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has backed an “exciting young cricketer” to replace the Indian opener for the third and final T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand because Shubman Gill is finding it difficult to translate his One Day International (ODI) form in the shortest format of the game. The series is against New Zealand. Gill, who broke the record for a double century in an ODI against the Black Caps, has struggled for the home team in the current T20I series.

In the low-scoring battle between India and New Zealand on Sunday in Lucknow, Gill was dismissed for a pittance (11 off 9 balls). In the first T20I match against New Zealand, Gill again had a forgettable performance as the Indian opener only managed to score 7 off 6 balls. In response to Gill’s decline in performance, former Pakistani cricketer Kaneria asked the Indian think tank to start Prithvi Shaw in place of the Indian opener for the forthcoming series-deciding match between India and New Zealand.

“This is the last game. You have seen Shubman Gill’s playing style. Young cricketer Prithvi Shaw is one to watch out for. He is renowned for his offensive play. In Shubman Gill’s place, you may offer him a chance. Shaw is talented. He can achieve great things if he plays regularly, Kaneria remarked.

After hitting the second-highest first-class score by an Indian batter in the Ranji Trophy, opener Shaw rejoined the Indian team. Shaw, though, was absent from the New Zealand series’ first two games. In July 2021, the star of the Delhi Capitals (DC) last competed for India.

Though Kaneria hailed Gill as a fantastic batter, the former Pakistan spinner and full-time cricket pundit feels the India batter has some room for improvement. Shubman Gill is an excellent hitter, but he has to focus on his hitting faults. He has to practice against spin spinners. Although India prevailed, there remains room for improvement. There will sometimes be challenging circumstances, Kaneria said.