Shankar replaces Pandya in India squad, Gill receives maiden call-up

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu all-rounder Vijay Shankar on Sunday replaced the suspended Hardik Pandya for India's ongoing ODI series in Australia while rising star Shubman Gill received his maiden call-up to the national team for the New Zealand tour beginning on January 23.

Shankar is a like-for-like replacement for Pandya while Gill replaces Rahul in the squad for the five ODIs and three T20s in New Zealand. Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending inquiry for their controversial comments on women during a TV show.

"With KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya set to return from Australia, the All-India Senior Selection Committee has decided to send all-rounder Vijay Shankar & batsman Shubman Gill as replacements," said the BCCI in a statement issued late last night.

"Vijay Shankar will join the team before the start of the 2nd ODI in Adelaide. He will be a part of the squad for the ODI series in Australia and the tour to New Zealand. Shubman Gill has been picked for the ODI & T20I series in New Zealand," it added.

The inclusion of the highly-rated Gill in the Indian team was a matter of time but he has got his big break sooner than he expected.

His KKR captain Dinesh Karthik and more recently senior Punjab teammate Yuvraj Singh has already predicted a long India career for Gill. Yuvraj called Gill a "very special talent" on the sidelines of a Ranji Trophy game in Kolkata last week.

"He is a young guy whose batting I like to watch. He is very exciting. He should serve India for a long time but that will also depend on how well he is looked after," said Yuvraj.

Gill was part of the India A squad that toured New Zealand last month. The top-order batsman is in sublime form and scored 790 runs for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy, averaging 98.75. He was also named player of the tournament following India's win in the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand last year.

"It is a big advantage (to be picked for the New Zealand tour). I played well there in the U-19 World Cup and now again I have got the opportunity," Gill said on Sunday after getting the news of his life, late last night.

" As I have done well there, I can say that there isn't much adjustment needed in the technique. If I get an opportunity, I will have just need to handle the pressure that comes with playing for India. Mentally, it will be different for sure but I am ready."

Mayank Agarwal, who did well in his debut Test series in Australia, was in line to replace his Karnataka teammate Rahul but it has been learnt that he is nursing a niggle. "Initially, the selectors had picked Mayank Agarwal for K L Rahul and Vijay Shankar for Pandya but it has been learnt that Agarwal is nursing a niggle.

"That is why the team management has asked for only one replacement in Australia and that is Shankar. And Gill is being rewarded for his good show in Ranji Trophy and A-tours," a source close to the selection committee said.

Shankar, on the other hand, has been included in the Indian team for the second time after T20 Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka. Shankar too did well during the A tour of New Zealand, finishing as the highest run-getter in the three one-dayers.

The 27-year-old middle-order batsman from Tamil Nadu can also bowl medium pace. He has played in five T20s.

In February last year, Shankar's big match temperament was put to test against a quality Bangladesh attack but the Tamil Nadu captain has come a long way since then.

"I think I have become mentally stronger now and I have full confidence that I can finish close matches. The India A tour of New Zealand has helped me understand my game much better," Shankar said during an interaction.

He believes that A team coach Dravid's decision to send him to bat at No 5 in New Zealand helped him immensely.

"Rahul sir told me one thing that he has faith in my ability to finish games. I think batting at No 5 also suited my game as I was able to close two games and remain unbeaten," said Shankar, who has so far played five T20s for India.

"The 87 I scored in a chase of 300 plus against New Zealand A gave me a lot belief that I also belong to this level. In another game, I scored 60 odd in a chase.

"While batting at No 5, in all these matches when I was going into bat, we required 150 to 160 runs and it was very important that I paced the innings well and played the role of a finisher," Shankar explained.