Former India batter and former head coach Rahul Dravid has backed star India batter Shubman Gill to do well at No. 3 in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-match Test series is set to begin in Perth on November 22. Gill debuted in Tests as an opener in the 2020-21 series in Australia which India won 2-1 as well. He impressed immediately, averaging almost 52 in three Tests and two fifties.
Gill’s 91 in the final innings of the deciding Test in Brisbane played a huge role in India’s historic run-chase of 328. Yet, he has been moved to No. 3 in the batting order since the second half of last year as well. Despite early struggles, Gill averages over 42 in 25 innings at No. 3 as well.
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya shares happiness after winning back the love of fans
During an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Dravid said, “Well, they’ve got Shubman Gill, who is a terrific player. He’s had some great success in Australia the last time. Everyone talks about Rishabh’s 80 [89] and rightly so, but I think Shubman got 91 to set the game up on that fifth morning. So no, he’s a fine, fine player, he’s a great kid, and he’s learning. Bats differently, slightly, to me and Pujara, but still a very, very good player.”
Rahul Dravid also feels the top order would be important to India’s success in the upcoming Test series against Australia as well. However, Team India will miss two of their top four — captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the first match. Meanwhile, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will play Tests for the first time in Australia as well.
ALSO READ: “Shubman’s captaincy is very good” – Ravi Bishnoi on Shubman Gill
“Runs on the top will be important. Now whether it comes from one, two or three or four, it doesn’t really matter. You’re going to need one of that top four or two of the top four to have a great series. That really helps in Australia. With the Kookaburra ball and those conditions, if you can get through that initial period and have your top four soak in a lot of that period, it really allows your lower order to be able to control and dominate those games,” Rahul Dravid concluded.
