Shubman Gill snubbed as Anil Kumble names Rohit Sharma's replacement for BGT 2024-25

Former Team India head coach Anil Kumble opened up about the possibility of Shubman Gill opening the batting against Australia in Rohit Sharma's absence. Anil Kumble said that Shubman Gill should not open during the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series despite calling him exceptionally talented.

India is set to play a five-match Test series against Australia, starting in Perth on November 22. As per PTI, Rohit may miss the first or second Test due to personal reasons. The Indian team management may need to shuffle their batting or pick another player if Rohit is unavailable for the early matches.

Shubman Gill Is Exceptionally Talent - Anil Kumble

Speaking to the broadcaster during a rain delay on Day 1 of the India vs New Zealand Test in Bengaluru, Anil Kumble said that India should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Kumble said that Shubman Gill has experience in Australian conditions but advised against pushing him up the order.

"You know he (Shubman) is exceptionally talented, skilful and he's done that. He's been to Australia before. Like you mentioned, in Brisbane, he got a wonderful fifty there and he knows the conditions," Kumble told the broadcasters.

"I don't want to change that. I know there's a temptation to push Shubman Gill because Rohit is not available in the first Test. But, there's always KL Rahul... that name is synonymous with change and adapting to whatever the team wants. Whether you want to open the batting or keep wickets, Rahul Dravid did that, now KL Rahul is doing that," he added.

Shubman Gill Made His Test Debut As An Opener In Australia

Gill made his Test debut as an opener in Melbourne in 2020. He opened for India in 17 Tests before moving to the No. 3 position in 2023. Gill decided to bat at No. 3 when India moved on from Cheteshwar Pujara. Yashasvi Jaiswal is opening alongside Rohit Sharma in Test matches.

KL Rahul has played the majority of his Test career as an opener. The right-handed batter has scored 2,551 runs in 75 innings at an average of 34.95, including seven centuries and 12 fifties. Rahul batted in the middle order during the recent Test series against Bangladesh.

Shubman Gill Will Have To Play That Role - Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble pointed out that Gill’s batting approach is different from the traditional style of previous No. 3 batters like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara. Kumble said that his role at No. 3 will be pivotal to India's success in Australia.

"You said, for the last 25 years, there have been only two players who have been consistently playing and and and it's a tough role. I mean, both those batsmen, Rahul and Cheteshwar, contributed immensely during that period, and you know you have to balance it out," Kumble said.

"So Shubman will have to play that role very specifically in Australia. He may have to change a little bit based on the conditions. He has the ability (to do that) as well," he added.

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