Indian National Cricket Team Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar has revealed why the team management decided to drop young batting sensation Shubman Gill from the fourth Test match of the five-match series against the national team of Australian cricket.
Abhishek Nayar also confirmed Rohit Sharma's return to the opening role in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which began on Thursday, December 26.
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Rohit will turn up and probably open for us – Abhishek Nayar
Speaking to the media after the day 1 play ended, Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Rohit will once again open the batting.
“Rohit will probably come and open for us,” said the assistant coach of the Indian national cricket team.
Abhishek Nayar said “Rohit will come up and probably open for us” (Press/Sports Express) pic.twitter.com/ow7itpvIrt
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2024
Notably, Rohit Sharma was replaced as opener by KL Rahul and started batting in the middle order. The decision to replace Rohit as the opener was taken after the duo of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal did a fantastic job while opening the innings in the Perth Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
As Rohit Sharma returned to the team after missing the first Test, he decided to give up his top spot to KL Rahul and took the No. 6 spot himself. The Indian skipper himself also confirmed at the toss that will knock first.
He's not really dropped, he just hasn't found his way into the mix – Abhishek Nayar
India made a shock change to their playing XI for the Melbourne Test when they dropped Shubman Gill who, while not scoring big, looked terrific as he faced the Australian bowlers in the first three Tests. Gill was replaced by Washington Sundar in the playing XI for the match.
Speaking about the move, India's national cricket team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar said that he had not actually 'dropped' Shubman Gill and that he had just missed out due to a change in the XI combination. He said:
“Watching us on the field, I felt that Washi could stand in solidarity with Jaddu – I feel for Shubman, but he gets it – He's not really dropped, he just hasn't found his way into the mix.”
Abhishek Nayar said, “Looking at the pitch, I felt that Washi could sympathize with Jaddu – I feel for Shubman, but he gets it – He's not really dropped, he just hasn't found his way into the mix.” . (RevSportz) pic.twitter.com/UiYXdsdJGR
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2024
More to come…