Shubman Gill, following a discussion with the Indian team management, expressed his desire to fill the vacant No. 3 spot in the Test team after Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped. Gill, who had previously opened alongside Rohit Sharma, felt comfortable and familiar with the challenge and role of batting at No. 3, having played in that position in domestic cricket.
When asked about his preferred batting spot, Shubman Gill replied, “They (team management) asked me where I wanted to bat, and I said I wanted No. 3. It is a position where I want to consolidate.” He acknowledged that facing the new ball as an opener was a significant challenge, but believed that the experience would benefit him when batting at No. 3.
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Gill’s request to bat at No. 3 was granted, and the Indian team handed a debut to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who opened the innings alongside Rohit after West Indies were dismissed for 150 in their first innings. Gill has been in excellent form in 2023, scoring an ODI double-century, a maiden T20I century, and finishing as the leading run-getter in IPL 2023 with three centuries. Following the WTC final, the Indian team enjoyed a rare month-long break before returning to action.
“I really enjoyed the one-month break, spent time with my family. This is my first time in Barbados, and it was also my first time in Dominica. We came here much before and had good training,” Shubman Gill shared.
Rohit Sharma had previously revealed that Gill and Jaiswal would bat in the series opener, with Gill having a discussion with head coach Rahul Dravid. Gill’s desire to bat at No. 3 was well-received by the team, as it provided a left-handed presence in the lineup, which Indian cricket had been lacking. Rohit expressed hope that Jaiswal would perform well for the team and solidify his position.
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“Gill will play at No. 3 because he himself wants to play at that position. He discussed with Rahul bhai and told him that ‘I’ve played all my cricket at 3 and 4, I think I can do better for my team if I bat at No. 3’. It becomes good for us also, we got a left-hander. Indian cricket desperately needed a left-hander. We found Yashasvi Jaiswal; he looks very promising. Let’s hope he (Jaiswal) performs for his team and makes the spot his own,” Rohit Sharma explained.
