The two heroes of India’s 2018 Under-19 World Cup triumph, Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw, are now fighting to nail a spot in the India Test XI to face Australia in the day-night Test in Adelaide.

While India have one half of their opening pair settled, they are still unsure of who to partner Mayank Agarwal with. Shaw and Gill have emerged as the most realistic option, although KL Rahul is in the mix as well. Shaw’s  recent form has been patchy, although he gave glimpses of a possible return to form in the tour match against Australia A, but Gill has increasingly been favoured to make his Test debut in Adelaide.

We asked our writers to wear the selector’s hat for a bit and make their choice between the two supremely talented Indian youngsters. Here are their picks.

Ben Garder, Wisden.com managing editor – Prithvi Shaw

First of all, clearly, there’s not much in it. Both Gill and Shaw, in pretty much any other team in any other era, would already have played 20 Tests each and be on their way to greatness, and both will get their chance. In terms of the here and now, I know Gill has more runs since touching down in Australia, and a marginally superior first-class record. But from dealings with the pair at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, and from watching them both play, I just feel Shaw has both the back-foot game and the chutzpah needed to cut it in Australia. This is not a country for the un-self-assured, and while his 40 off 29 in the final warm-up might rankle with some, it’s actually the perfect indicator of his confidence, with Shaw seemingly unbothered about the formalities of building an innings against an attack he considers beneath him. Bring him Hazlewood and Cummins aiming it at his chest and set him free, to slash, pull, cut and dash. God, what a sight it could be.

Manoj Narayan, Wisden India editor – Shubman Gill

Shaw’s performances at Test level will certainly add weight to those saying he should start – in four matches, he has a century and two half-centuries, and averages over 55, which is in keeping with his first-class returns. As for Gill, he’s underwhelmed in his three international outings so far – all ODIs, in which the highest score he’s managed has been 33. And yet, their recent form, and perhaps an element of erring on the side of caution, suggests Gill is the best choice.

Gill’s run of scores leading up to this Test – 0, 29, 43, 65 – are a tad better than the 0, 19, 40, 3 Shaw has managed, but it’s also a matter of playing styles. Shaw is a dasher, and while the value of that will be high on the occasions it comes off, he’s had a poor year in terms of form, with questions prevailing over his technique. Meanwhile, Gill possesses a more traditional approach, seems a lot more assured both technically and mentally, and seems to exude confidence borne of progressively better form. In the first Test of the series, a pink-ball affair at that, what you want from your openers is that solid foundation – Gill just seems a more reliable option to provide India that.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India staff writer – Shubman Gill

Ahead of what should potentially be his Test debut, Shubman Gill has ticked all the boxes, collecting notable scores in the practice games to steer clear of a scratchy Prithvi Shaw, the other contender. It isn’t just Shaw’s lack of form that should give Gill the nod; the Punjab batsman has, over three years of first-class cricket, proven that he belongs to the big stage, mixing his compact, unhurried technique with a fluent, expressive style, and batting with equal comfort against both spin and pace.

More importantly, he comes across as a level-headed cricketer who is willing to bide his time in the middle, a crucial element of an opener’s role abroad, and has the temperament to rack up big scores (he has three first-class double centuries already).

Roshan Gede, Wisden India staff writer – Shubman Gill

On current form, Gill is surely a much better choice than Shaw, but there’s a lot more to this flamboyance v grace contest than the magnitude of runs alone. Shaw’s manner of dismissals against the quick bowlers of late doesn’t make for a pleasant viewing, and with his technical limitations, he could be found wanting against the quality of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. That the contest will feature a pink ball can only escalate Shaw’s problems further. Gill, a better backfoot player among the two, and with his superior defensive skills, promises much more, not to mention his astonishing first-class average of 68.78. At such a young age, Gill has received enough accolades from some of the game’s greats and a (relatively longer) wait for a maiden Test cap, a full two year’s after Shaw’s Test debut, might just be the perfect motivation for him.

 

After a disappointing IPL 2020, Prithvi Shaw’s scores in the two practice games read 0, 19, 40 and 3.#AUSvIND #Shawhttps://t.co/wQoeue9qBQ

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) December 12, 2020

Sankalp Srivastava, Wisden India staff writer – Prithvi Shaw

By no means is Gill a lesser player, as his current form shows. However, by benching Shaw for the Adelaide Test in the first out-of-form phase of his brief career would severely hamper his confidence. Shaw was one of India’s better batsmen on their last overseas Test series – in New Zealand earlier this year – where his confidence was a standout feature, as it has been throughout his career. He did undergo a slump in form in the IPL, but perhaps the international stage might bring out the best in him again. With Kohli leaving after the first Test, perhaps both Gill and Shaw will be part of the XI. As far as Adelaide is concerned, Shaw offers a that X factor, some of which was in evidence when he scored a 29-ball-40 in the second tour game against Australia A. He should partner Agarwal up front.