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India vs Australia | IPL experience helped Siraj and Gill, says Shastri

Both Siraj and Gill excelled during their Test debuts at Melbourne which India won by eight wickets to square the four match series 1-1.

Mohammed Siraj

Bengaluru, December 30: India's coach Ravi Shastri believes rubbing shoulders with top stars during the Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and batsman Shubhman Gill to fit in easily into international cricket.

Both Siraj and Gill excelled during their Test debuts at Melbourne which India won by eight wickets to square the four match series 1-1.

Replacing an out-of-form Prithvi Shaw, Gill produced fluent knocks of 45 and 35 not out in the low-scoring contest at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Watching Rahane’s magnificent knock a learning curve: Shubman GillWatching Rahane’s magnificent knock a learning curve: Shubman Gill

Right-arm quick Siraj, coming in for injured seamer Mohammed Shami, bowled with relentless hostility to claim five wickets.

Mohammed Siraj wants to hit consistent areas to get Aussies outMohammed Siraj wants to hit consistent areas to get Aussies out

"That's the way, that's the brand of cricket we've been playing for the last three or four years," Shastri said.

"I think a lot has to do with IPL. The fact that they share dressing rooms with international players, they rub shoulders with the best, that complex factor disappears very quickly."

Shastri was delighted with Siraj's ability to bowl long spells and was particularly impressed by Gill's flair.

"In the second innings, it's very easy to get into a shell but he went out there and played his natural game. It was great from the team point of view," the coach added.

Ajinkya Rahane, who took over the captaincy when expectant father Virat Kohli returned home after Adelaide, said Gill, 21, had showed a good mix of shotmaking and patience.

"Shubman has done really well in first class career," he added.

"Even in this game he showed that he can actually play shots and, at the same time, he can bat with composure."

He was also impressed by Siraj's control and accuracy.

"It's very difficult for a debutant to show that kind of discipline," said Rahane.

IND vs AUS: Green light given for SCG to stage third Australia-India TestIND vs AUS: Green light given for SCG to stage third Australia-India Test

Though there were rumours that the third Test will be moved out of Sydney due to a fresh wave of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spike, Cricket Australia confirmed that the Sydney cricket Ground will remain host for the traditional New Year Test, which begins at a later date of January 7.

Traditionally the New Year Test at SCG begins on January 3.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Story first published: Wednesday, December 30, 2020, 18:06 [IST]
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