Kaif also questioned Gill's tactical choices on debut, especially the call to leave out Kuldeep -- a bowler capable of turning games in Australia's own backyard.
India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
Assessing Sai Sudharsan's temperament and Nitish Kumar Reddy's utility in home conditions would be topmost on India's checklist when the high-on-confidence hosts take on a floundering West Indies
Images from Day 2 of the 1st Test between India and West Indies in Ahmedabad
The cricketing ecosystem has learned to survive the prolonged absence of Kohli and Rohit -- at least in two formats -- in this interim period.
Nitish flaunted his six-hitting muscle in the first innings and showed signs of living up to the belief that the former Indian skipper has exuded in him. After being put to bat by Australia, rain interrupted the play on four instances, and the Indian team toiled for rhythm as well as runs.
'...When you come back home, when there's three spinners playing and the field's spread out, you really need to get your runs with singles. The boundaries don't come that easily.'
K L Rahul has become the co-owner of the Goa Guardians franchise ahead of the fourth season of the Prime Volleyball League.
Kuldeep was instrumental to India's success at the Asia Cup, topping the wicket-taking chart with 17 wickets. Chopra explained the rationale behind dropping the left-arm wrist spinner, attributing it to batting depth.
Jadeja reduces South Africa to 93/7 in second innings, India smell big win
Sai Sudharsan pulled off a jaw-dropping catch on Day 2.
Indian Test skipper Shubman Gill spoke on the team dinner hosted by head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday
Athiya Shetty and KL Rahul's grih pravesh puja was all about love, tradition, and togetherness
Australia's stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh continued his fine run of form on Sunday, scoring 46 not out and leading his side to a seven-wicket triumph over India in the weather-affected first one-day international at Perth Stadium.
KL Rahul has opened up about the impact that the Koffee with Karan controversy had on him
Karnataka on Tuesday named internationals K L Rahul, Prasidh Krishna, and Karun Nair in the probables list for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.
K L Rahul made a solid 74 before retiring hurt as India remained on course to chase a formidable 412-run target set by Australia A on day three of the second unofficial Test in Lucknow on Thursday.
Yashaswi Jaiswal advance two slots to fifth after notching 175 in the first innings of the New Delhi game while KL Rahul's knocks of 38 and 58 not out lifted him two places to 33rd.
Rahul failed to convert his resilient start into a three-digit score across both innings but was pivotal in India's fight to draw the Test and keep India alive in the series.
LSG skipper KL Rahul, whose team also finished out of play-off zone was disappointed.
Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain also praised Rahul's methodical approach to batting.
With the pitch here not assisting the spinners so far a great deal, Rampaul expressed his surprise.
'...the guys who are just part of Test cricket, I think for them to prepare and play domestic cricket is very, very important.'
Jaiswal and Rahul ended the day unbeaten on 90 and 62, as the hosts failed to take a wicket in two sessions, a dizzying change of pace from day one when 17 wickets tumbled.
IMAGES from Day 4 of the 2nd Test between India and West Indies in New Delhi on Monday.
One of the most stylish batters, Rahul admitted that in his younger days he often tried to be something he was not.
The short turnaround time from the high of winning a controversy-marred Asia Cup notwithstanding, Shubman Gill's India will be outright favourites against a struggling and under-strength West Indies when the teams face-off on a green-top in the first Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Rahul, assigned the role of a college boy, inquires about Pant's part in the ad.
'What do you want us to do?': KL's heated exchange with umpire Dharamsena during Oval Test
KL Rahul lauded his bowlers for their ability to read the pitch and adapt to the given roles.
LSG has been one of the hottest topics of the rumour mill after reports started to surface about the franchise deciding not to retain its captain for the past two seasons, KL Rahul.
Skipper Shubman Gill had a long batting stint while the troika of Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel returned to action for India's final training session here on Wednesday before the first Test against the West Indies.
He contrasts that with Pakistan's past batting line-ups.
The Indian team's heavy reliance on all-rounders will be tested by a plucky Australia in the second ODI but the spotlight will continue to stay firmly on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom would look to turn back the clock with series-saving knocks in Adelaide on Thursday.
'When I joined the India team, M S Dhoni had told me, "Kisi ki baaton mein nahin aana. Jab tu acha karega, toh poori duniya tumhare saath rahegi, aur jab kharaab karega, yahi duniya tujhe gaali degi".'
The grand comeback party of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma endured a quick 22-ball ending, and their lowkey outing reflected in India's seven-wicket defeat against Australia.
K L Rahul and B Sai Sudharsan struck sublime hundreds as India A registered a stunning five-wicket win over Australia A while hunting down a target of 413 to seal the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0, in Lucknow, on Friday.
'To take two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible, but he is clearly in the scheme of things with how good he is.'
The duo tied the knot among close family and friends, at Athiya's actor father Suniel Shetty's farmhouse in Khandala.
Team India touched down in Manchester on Sunday ahead of the must-win fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
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