Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has praised Shubman Gill’s decision to participate in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, saying it sends the right message to his teammates about the importance of playing domestic cricket when not on national duty.
Gavaskar commended Gill for opting to represent North Zone despite just coming off a gruelling five-match Test series in England, where India secured a 2-2 draw. The series was a personal triumph for Gill, who topped the run-scoring charts with over 750 runs, reinforcing his stature as one of India’s most reliable batters in the longest format.
“Shubman Gill, captaining the North Zone team, is a massive shot in the arm for this tournament. By being available, the Indian skipper is sending the right signal to the other members of the team. It would have been understandable if, after a gruelling tour where five Test matches were crammed into a little over six weeks, he had opted to rest,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
The former India captain also pointed out that while Gill’s participation is a positive, the decision to rest fast bowlers from the tournament was sensible. “The fast bowlers not playing is good thinking, as it has been an unusually hot summer in England, thanks to global warming, and their energies must have been expended after the untiring spells they bowled throughout the series,” he noted.
This year’s Duleep Trophy has reverted to its traditional zonal format, featuring four teams composed of players in, or vying for, a place in India’s Test squad. The squads have been chosen by zonal committees, which include representatives from all states within each zone.
North Zone, under Gill’s leadership, will open their campaign in a play-off against East Zone. A win would set up a semi-final clash against either South Zone or West Zone.
For Gill, the tournament is not only a chance to maintain his rich vein of form but also an opportunity to underline his commitment to Indian cricket’s domestic structure. His presence could inspire younger players and reinforce the pathway between domestic cricket and the national team.
