Border-Gavaskar Trophy: After unfairly omitting him for Melbourne, India need Shubman Gill in must-win 5th Test | Cricket News

This was a tour that started with plenty of promise for Shubman Gill. From being a No.3 who appeared caught in two minds – whether to go on the offensive or blunt the new ball like his two predecessors did. But as he steps into a new year, the 25-year-old confronts doubt. For a batsman who volunteered to bat at No.3, he now finds himself in a situation where he has been told he isn’t ‘dropped’ but has to be left out to serve the team combination.If that isn’t enough, Gill also finds himself in a side in which, according to multiple sources, head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted a return to Cheteshwar Pujara – a player who the previous team management and the selection panel headed Ajit Agarkar moved on from in mid-2023. It is the last thing a player working towards owning a position would want and one that sums up the chaos in the Indian dressing room.
Over the past decade, role clarity is what set the India team apart in Tests. Even when Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma took over the reins from Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli, they harped on continuity – a reason why Shardul Thakur was given an extended run in Tests. But under a new regime and with the captain’s performance in the spotlight, Gill finds himself in a peculiar place where the team management doesn’t seem to see him as a long term No.3, unless he sorts out his batting manual.
EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE: Gautam Gambhir wanted Cheteshwar Pujara in India squad for Border Gavaskar Trophy, was turned down selectors
From the time Gill emerged on the scene, his initial trigger movement has made him vulnerable to deliveries that shape into him. It was one of the reasons why when Gill – who started his career as an opener – wanted to move to No.3, the selectors and then team management were happy to agree, with the belief that he would ultimately slot in at No.4. But unless he sorts out his technical glitches, the jury will remain out on his best spot in the line-up.
Coming into the Australia series, Gill was only behind Yashasvi Jaiswal in terms of runs scored in 2024, but still was among the batsmen India had their concerns over. And it was the same old issues that made Gambhir check on Pujara and one that made the choice to bench him for Melbourne easy.

CASTLED!
Mitch Starc gets some “banana swing” to make a mess of Shubman Gill’s stumps 🍌#DeliveredWithSpeed | @NBN_Australia | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sP41huXm4F
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2024
Past & future
But it isn’t the first time Gill is facing a similar crisis. Last February, in the middle of the Vizag Test against England, according to those in his close circle, he had already packed his bags to head home and play the Ranji Trophy as runs had dried up in the long format. Even the then support staff felt it was the right thing to do, before the hard yards he put in extensive net sessions prior to the Test came to his rescue in the form of a second innings century. The Punjab batsman never looked back until Boxing Day.
For Sydney, India have a call to make. The move to make Rohit open didn’t work, neither did the forced shuffling that it caused. With the batting fragile, India slotted in three all-rounders, which appeared to be a compromise on their bowling stocks.
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Now with the series on the line and chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy still a possibility, India have an opportunity to correct their makes. Given where Australia stand at this point in time in terms of making the World Test Championship final, the chances of the hosts providing seamer-friendly or spin-friendly conditions are unlikely as it would narrow the gap between the two sides. A flat deck, which has long been the tradition at Sydney, will be a safe bet, but one which will require India to be smart with their bowling picks to give them the best chance of taking 20 wickets.
With Jasprit Burmah’s workload also to be factored in, India have to be careful with the choice of their attack.
So where does this leave Gill? If India go about strengthening their attack, it opens the door for Gill to reclaim his No.3 spot that will also bolster the batting line-up. Among the reasons why Dravid and Rohit felt Gill was more suited to No.3 was his intent and natural ability to be an enforcer at all times.
On Australian decks, Gill’s horizontal bat shots were considered of huge value before the tour commenced. Never in the three innings did Gill look out of place. If anything, more cushion should have been allowed to the No.3, given the nature of the role, to instill confidence in him. Instead, India did the unthinkable. What effect it has had on Gill, only time will tell.

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