India are considering replacing vice-captain KL Rahul with young gun Shubman Gill for the third Test against Australia in Indore.
The hosts have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, but their top-order has come under mounting pressure.
Apart from captain Rohit Sharma starting the series in outstanding form, India’s other stars, including Virat Kohli and Rahul, have failed to fire.
Gill is viewed by Indian fans as one of the next great batters, starring in white-ball cricket and making an impressive Test debut in Australia during the 2020-21 series.
The 23-year-old was the first Indian batter in the nets during the team’s training session in Indore on Monday in a potential sign of things to come.
When India listed their squads for the third and fourth Tests last week, Rahul wasn’t listed as vice-captain, and the BCCI have not confirmed if that was intentional or a mistake.
After India’s second Test triumph in Delhi, Sharma was resolute in his support of Rahul.
“Of late, there has been a lot of talk about his batting,” Sharma said.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“For us, as team management, we always look at the potential of any individual, not just KL.
“If a guy has potential, he will get an extended run, not just KL.
“If you look at the couple of (Test) hundreds he got, especially at Lord’s (against England), batting on that damp pitch.”
India are spoilt for talent, with wicketkeeper KS Bharat seamlessly replacing Rishabh Pant after the superstar suffered serious injuries in a car crash in December.
“As a player, you always expect the opportunity to come to you, and for me I have always prepared myself for any opportunity,” Bharat said on Monday.
“You want to play for the country, it is the biggest dream. When the opportunity comes, I will take it.”
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