Right-hand batsman from Punjab Shubman Gill, who only turned 20 on September 8, has been called up for the first time to play for the Indian Test Cricket Team. Gill has been included in squad to take on South Africa in the upcoming Test series. “Shubman Gill is taken as a backup opener or middle-order player," said Indian cricket team Chief selector MSK Prasad, speaking on the decision to Republic TV.

The series is set to start on October 2, 2019, in Visakhapatnam with the two subsequent Tests to be played in Pune and Ranchi.

Read| India name Test squad for South Africa series, Shubman Gill included

Shubman Gill has been in superb form

India ‘A’ test captain Gill has been in superb form of late. He scored a smashing 90 runs off 153 balls against South Africa ‘A’ team in the first innings of their match which India won on Thursday. Gill's innings was peppered with some truly beautiful shots, which almost propelled him to a century, falling just 10 runs short as he was dismissed by Piedt.

The India ‘A’ captain averages at a tremendously impressive 72.15 in first-class cricket and recently captained his side to a seven-wicket victory over the South African side in Thiruvananthapuram. Gill was one of the breakthrough stars in India’s ICC Under-19 World Cup triumph in New Zealand last year, averaging 124 through the competition.

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Congratulatory messages for Gill flowing on Twitter

Kolkata Knight Riders wish Shubman Gill the best:

A fan also expressed jubilation:

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The BCCI names the final squad against South Africa for the Test series

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