With Rohit Sharma’s availability for Australia opener tests remaining uncertain, the former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has suggested that Shubman Gill along with Yashasvi Jaiswal for India as he has done so in the past in Australia.
After Rohit Sharma revealed that he might miss the first test, the replacement for the skipper has been revolving around KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran after India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s presentation ahead of the team’s departure to Australia.
Meanwhile, the things have turned interesting after Ravi Shastri has made his suggestion on the opening pair for Australia tests if the skipper misses the first match.
He mentioned that Abhimanyu Easwaran has not done that well for India A has not done that well for India A in Australia. However, the vacancy in the opening slot will depend on how they are playing in the nets.
India are set to take on Australia in a five match test series in a high profile Border Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit Sharma is likely to miss first test due to personal reasons.
Some reports suggested that Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh are having a second baby and the batter chose to be on the side of his wife at Mumbai.
Abhimanyu Easwaran or KL Rahul in the spot like he has done for India A in the intra squad match before the 1st Test.
In an interaction with ICC, Ravi Shastri said that India can push Shubman Gill to open the batting as he had good record against Australia.
“That’s a tough one and selectors have a choice. You can push Shubman (Gill) back up the order and he has opened in the past in Australia.”
“I think he can easily play as a (specialist) batter. What impressed me most was his temperament, his calmness when the chips were down and the tightness he brought to his game – especially under pressure,” the former India all-rounder added.
“Otherwise, you’ll have to then make an alternative. Easwaran hasn’t done that well (for India A in Australia). But it’s how he’s batting in the nets, how Rahul is batting in the nets. But that Shubman Gill option is also there.”
“I used to always watch footwork as a coach. Sometimes runs are not important, but if a player is moving well, and if the feet are moving nicely, and you try and understand his game and you realize if he has the game for those conditions, if he has the right kind of shots for those kinds of pitches.”
“These are the things you’ve got to look at when you start picking a side overseas,” he added.
The five-match test series will kickstart on November 22 while the second test will be played on a day-night format under the stadium lights starting on December 06.
The third test will be played in the Gabba which will be held between December 14-18. The fourth test will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7 will give a promising dramatic conclusion for the exciting contest.
