India vs Australia: 'He is a quite calm character,' Pat Cummins praises young Indian batsman

Australia's fast bowler Pat Cummins heaped praise on Shubman Gill, who made his Test debut in the recently concluded Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

India handed a Test debut to two players: Gill and pacer Mohammed Siraj. Both the youngsters made crucial contributions and impressed many in their very first appearance in the whites.

Gill was composed and had the presence of mind in his first outing in the whites. He scored 45 and remained unbeaten on 35 in his maiden Test and ended up as India's second highest run-getter in the second Test.

"Shuby (Gill) looked good in his first Test. He is quite a calm character. Looks like, the similar way he wants to play, wants to take the game on, which as a bowler provides opportunities, some days it will come off, some days it won't," said Cummins, who is Gill's teammate at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Going into the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, India were 1-0 down after losing the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. Not surprised with India's comeback, Cummins said his side will be ready to fight back in Sydney.

"Any side, once they have a big loss, you know they are going to come back little-bit harder. Everyone's incredibly proud when you are playing at this level, so no real surprise that they (India) came out really hard," Cummins said at a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

India sealed the second Test inside four days despite the absence of some crucial figures such as Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma. The tourists also suffered a blow in the middle of the game when their senior quick Umesh Yadav sustained an injury and never bowled again. In crucial times, young players stepped up.

While Rahane scored a century, Ravindra Jadeja contributed with a vital half-century and also took a few wickets. Debutant Siraj finished the game with five wickets and became the first Indian bowler in the last 50 years to take a five-for on debut Down Under.

There is a small break before the third Test between India and Australia begins on Jan. 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The fourth and final Test is scheduled to be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from Jan. 15.