India’s batsman Shubman Gill will take the No. 3 spot for the next two Test series against West Indies.
The move marks a new mindset for the Indian team heading into the third round of the World Test Championship (WTC), making bold choices in personnel selection.
Notably, veteran player Cheteshwar Pujara has not found a place in the squad, while newcomers like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been included in the roster. Jaiswal, who made his debut in the opening overs, will start with captain Rohit Sharma, which led to a change in Gill’s batting position.
Rohit Sharma discussed the option in his pre-match press conference. Gill expressed his preference for coach Rahul Dravid, saying he has played cricket in the third and fourth positions most of the time, and admitted that he can do better for the team in this position. contribution.
Sharma recognizes the change will create a left-right opening combination, which the team has been longing for, and said they believe it will become a long-term arrangement.
Since his debut for India, Gill has mostly cemented himself as the opener, while other openers such as KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have underperformed.
However, there was a potential downside to Gill’s decision to bat in third in Test cricket against the West Indies. Let’s look at three reasons why this move might not be the right choice.
First, move the determined gambit to
No. 3 can accommodate a left-handed starting hitter, although the team would like to have left-handed and right-handed starting partners.
While Gill himself suggested the shift, it’s the team’s responsibility to consider the pros and cons of this option, especially when it includes relegating proven candidates.
Second, a sudden shift in position could disrupt Jill’s noteworthy frame. Gill’s fortunes reversed during the 2022 Caribbean Tour, where he was named the series’ player of the year. Since then, he has become the main force of the Indian team.
However, a string of bad grades could undo all his hard work. The top level of Indian cricket is highly competitive and many talented players are waiting for their chance.
Gill had a phenomenal year in 2023, cementing his top spot in ODIs, winning the Orange Caps in the IPL and scoring multi-century goals in red ball cricket. His form will be crucial for India’s preparations for the Asian Cup and ODI World Cup in 2023.
If the switch to the three fails, getting Gill back into the starting job could prove difficult, especially with Yashaswi Jaiswal playing well as a starter.
In the end, Jill’s move to third might not be a long-term solution. Although Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari are currently out of the squad, it is too early to consider their national team careers over.
Pujara had previously regained his place after being knocked out, and Vihari, already 29, could stage a comeback with a strong home season.
Ajinkya Rahane has had success lately
Shreyas Iyer will return after recovering from injury. India have many options and Gill’s move to third could be a temporary arrangement depending on the future.
All in all, while the decision to move Shubman Gill to third in the Test series against West Indies signaled a revival for the Indian team, there were legitimate concerns about the relegation of the established opener and the potential disruption of Gill’s body. concerns, as well as the availability of other talented players. It remains to be seen whether this move works, or whether adjustments will be required in the future.
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