With many starting batsmen in their ranks, India may be facing a problem of many when it comes to deciding which two batsmen to open for them in the four-round series, but when it comes to the middle order, the team seems a bit risky with his No. 6, especially with captain Virat Kohli ready to return to India after the end of the Adelaide Test.
With Kohli’s departure, Ajinkya Rahane is expected to come batting at Kohli’s position at No. 4, behind Pujara at No. 3, leaving Hanuma Vihari likely to hit at 5. But without Hardik Pandya, leaves the race for the No. 6 slots wide open. In this situation, former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar has endorsed young Shubman Gill to take on the role in India’s batting order. Although Gill has played most of his career opening batting for India A and Punjab, Agarkar feels the 21-year-old is best suited for a spot in the middle order.
“Everybody seems to be a starter right now on this team, right? Because Vihari and Rahane will obviously play in the middle order with Pujara. So those are three places that you would think are busy. My pick would be Shubman Gill [at 6]. I think a lot of people have chosen him as a starter, ”Agarkar told Sony Sports Network.
Having said that, India is unlikely to have any plans for Gill other than the opening one. With Rohit Sharma not on the team for at least the first two games, and Shaw battling a murky form, the fact that Gill scored 33 in the third ODI last week and followed with scores of 29, 43 and 65 in the two practice games. against Australia A makes him a strong contender to start alongside possibly Agarwal.
India also has the option of using KL Rahul in the middle order, considering his form for India in cue ball cricket, but Agarkar feels that Gill can fit in that spot better than anyone else.
“Yeah, he started first-class cricket for a season or a little longer, he has a good record. But I still feel like his best position might be somewhere in the middle. at least on Test cricket, because I don’t see better options at the moment. People could target KL Rahul and his cue ball form, but if I had to choose, I would go with Shubman Gill, “added Agarkar.
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