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Why Rohit Sharma Benched Shubman Gill

The Indian cricket team is all set to take on its biggest challenge of 2023 so far with the Men in Blue hosting Australia in the highly awaited Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023. The first test match of the four game series is all set to take place in in Nagpur from 9th February onwards with both teams aiming to cement a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final.

Rohit Sharma had a big question waiting to be answered with a plethora of talent available at his disposal. Citing the  talent filled squad, the 35 year old had to make big decisions while selecting India’s’ playing XI for the Nagpur match.

After losing the toss to Pat Cummins, the Indian team captain was spoke with Ravi Shastri and shared how he would have opted to bat too citing the dry surface. Speaking on team selection, he shared that the hosts will be playing three spinners, two seamers with KS Bharat and Suryakumar Yadav making their debut.

Before the game, questions were asked if Shubman Gill gets a chance to open with Sharma given his excellent run of form or will the team management opt to stick with KL Rahul. However, the hosts have chosen to stick with the Indian team vice captain with Gill benched for the first test. 

India vs Australia first test playing XI

Australia: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Peter Handscomb, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey(w), Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins(c), Todd Murphy, Scott Boland

India: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma(c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Srikar Bharat(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

Why Rohit Sharma benched Shubman Gill

Ahead of the game, India’s opening pair was the big question waiting for Rohit Sharma to answer. With the Indian captain cementing a spot, Shubman Gill was touted to be India’s obvious chose to open the innings alongside the skipper. However, KL Rahul  was given the nod.

Rohit Sharma seems to had made the right choice in going with Rahul for the first test. Gill has been in a purple patch of form with the bat in white ball cricket. However, his numbers in Test cricket are not something to boast of. Given KL Rahul’s seniority and lady luck by his side the Indian team vice-captain was almost a sure shot starter for the Men in Blue.

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Gill could have also been slotted in the middle order but the hosts decided to reward Suryakumar Yadav’s patience and hand him a Test debut in Nagpur. The 32 year old has been a stalwart for India in the shortest format of the game since 2022.

He is expected to play an impactful aggressive innings and taking the game on like Rishabh Pant. Alongside him, wicketkeeper KS Bharat is also making his debut. The duo’s inclusion means in-form batter Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan miss out on being a part of the XI. 

Fan reactions on Rohit Sharma dropping Gill 

Gill and kuldeep missing is a shameless job by team management

— iamsmk (@Itzsmk) February 9, 2023

SKY over Gill and Bharat over Kishan make no sense! Unnecessarily creating doubts in players mind by dropping them randomly. Same thing #Rohit and #Dravid did to #Pant. It’s the same approach that #chappel had when #Dravid was captain. #INDvsAUS

— Gyani (@HotTake50584305) February 9, 2023

Rubbish team selection gill kishan should there in for kl Rahul and Bharat

— Pragnesh Ptl🇮🇳 (@pragnesh4me) February 9, 2023

No Gill 😥

SKY in Test squad 😫#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS https://t.co/G9RnOlgi6b

— Aditya Chaudhuri (@AdiChaudhuri) February 9, 2023

Why Rahul playing 11
Gill deserve playing 11 #AskStar

— EFTIKAR HUSSAIN (@Eftikar757) February 9, 2023

I'd support playing Shubman Gill at any cost. The players who make difference should not be left out. #INDvsAUS #BorderGavaskarTrophy #shubhmangill

— Vishal Sharma (@normophil) February 9, 2023

 

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