Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Shubman Gill will have to wait for his opportunity and will not be taking part in the playing 11 in the second test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
With Rohit Sharma and Gill unavailable for the Perth test, KL Rahul opened along with Yashasvi Jaiswal which proved to be a solid partnership to secure a 295-run victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
The partnership put on India’s first-ever 200-run opening stand in Tests down under in the second innings in Perth.
Their terrific show has brought in confusion for the management with a good headache of where the returning Rohit and Gill will fit in the batting order.
While speaking with media, Harbhajan Singh spoke about the importance of batting line up saying,
“I guess Gill will have to wait for his chance. You took Jurel in for a match and when he didn’t make runs, you would make him sit outside. So you can’t play Gill from opening to No.5 as well.”
“It’s a complicated situation and you do feel trapped. But it’s good only. I feel they will play Gill ahead of Jurel. But I feel Jurel should be played and given the chance.”
Gill has been in stellar form in Tests this year, averaging over 47 in 10 games. Meanwhile Dhruv Jurel failed to capitalize on his opportunity in the opening test scoring 11 and 1 in the two innings.
Harbhajan Singh believes that KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal pair should continue throughout the series, with Rohit Sharma batting in No.3 position.
Rohit has not batted below the order since the 2018-19 Australian tour. “I would say let this KL Rahul-Yashasvi Jaiswal combination to continue. Shubman Gill, I guess, will have to make way for captain Rohit Sharma at No.3 and then Virat Kohli at No.4. After that, it is almost set,” said Harbhajan Singh.
Rohit Sharma has opened the batting in 42 out of his 64 tests, averaging 44 at the position with nine centuries.
Rohit Sharma will be replacing Devdutt Padikkal who scored 0 and 25 in the first test. India has regained the top position in the WTC points table with Australia slipped to third position.
Leading 1-0 series, India will be taking Australia on the second test starting on December 06 at Adelaide Oval.
