Former West Indies cricketer Dwayne Smith expressed no surprise at seeing young Shubman Gill lead India in the ongoing Test series in England. Speaking from Birmingham during the World Championship of Legends (WCL), Smith highlighted how Indian players are groomed to be Test-ready even before they arrive on English soil. He also pointed out the lack of competitive first-class cricket in the West Indies as a major reason behind their continued struggles in Test cricket.
Shubman Gill’s Rise Reflects India’s Strong Development System
Smith, who played 148 internationals for West Indies, emphasized the experience and backing young Indian players receive, which prepares them well for international challenges.
“The thing is with the youngsters, I think they still have that experience. India plays a lot of cricket, and they have the backing, resources, and everything in place,” Smith told ANI.
“They are Test material even before they reach there. I remember a coach saying a few years ago that Gill would lead India someday — now he’s doing it. So, I’m not surprised.”
With senior stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin missing, Smith believes this talented new crop will hold the team’s future strongly.
West Indies’ Decline Linked to Lack of First-Class Cricket
Smith didn’t hold back when discussing West Indies’ struggles, noting that the administration has failed to provide adequate opportunities to compete at the highest level.
“We only play about seven first-class matches a year, which is nowhere near enough to prepare us for the top teams like Australia, England, and India,” he said.
“It’s no surprise we were bowled out for 27 recently — it’s a reflection of the lack of competitive cricket.”
Smith also reflected on his time playing alongside West Indies legends such as Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Dwayne Bravo, appreciating the experience of sharing a dressing room with successful teammates.
Despite their rich T20 history, West Indies Champions have struggled in the current WCL, with just one win and two losses so far in the tournament.
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