Vaibhav Tripathi
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has revealed that Shubman Gill will assume the responsibility of batting at number 3 in the upcoming Test series against West Indies. Additionally, Rohit has confirmed that Yashasvi Jaiswal will be making his Test debut as an opener.
Jaiswal’s performance in first-class cricket has been nothing short of exceptional, as he has amassed nine centuries in a mere 15 matches, and at an average of 80.21. He will join forces with Rohit at the top.
Noteworthy is the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara, a longstanding occupant of the pivotal No. 3 position in the Indian line-up. Consequently, Gill, who previously batted at No. 3 in a solitary Test match innings against New Zealand in 2021, will now undertake that crucial role.
“(Shubman) Gill will play at number 3 because Gill himself wants to play at number 3. He discussed with Rahul (Dravid) (and said), ‘I have played all my cricket at 3 and 4. I think I can do better for my team if I bat at number 3’. And it is good for us too because it becomes an opening combination of left and right,” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.
“So I think we will try to do this and hopefully this will go on for a long time. Because we have been looking for a left-hander for many years. So now that we have got that left-hander, let’s hope he performs well for the team. And he can really make that spot his own,” he added.