Will KL Rahul get one more chance or Shubman Gill will come into the Indian XI in his place for the third Test against Australia in Indore? Keeper-batter KS Bharat gave the answer to this two days before this Test match begins on March 1.
India currently leads the four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 series 2-0 with wins in Nagpur and Delhi and will look forward to winning the series in Indore and confirming their spot in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023 as well.
However, one riddle that is yet to be cracked is finding a formidable opening pair. The question looms over the selection of KL Rahul who is going through a rough patch and has also been removed as the vice-captain of the team for the last two Tests.
He has scores of 20, 17, and 1, drawing immense criticism from fans and cricket pundits. Rahul managed to retain his spot in the Indian squad for the last two Tests but lost his vice-captaincy tag. Since then, it’s been speculated that Shubman Gill might walk into the playing XI for Indore Test as Rahul is no more Rohit’s deputy.
On Monday, when wicketkeeper KS Bharat arrived at a press conference in Indore and was asked about the same, whether Gill be replacing a struggling Rahul.
The keeper-batter was quoted as saying by News 18: “It’s the team management’s call, not mine.”
Rohit Bhai Told Me That I Will Bat At No 6 In Delhi 2nd Innings: KS Bharat
KS Bharat made his India Test debut in Nagpur after spending the best part of two years as an understudy of Rishabh Pant. His glovework was never a problem for the team but his batting against a heavyweight like Australia was untested.
But he showed that he could handle the heat and pressure of batting when India chased 115 in Delhi on a tricky wicket and scored 23* as India won by 6 wickets.
“I enjoyed playing whatever I did in Delhi. It was about keeping it simple and backing your defence. Wickets are not unplayable, just have to back your defence. Rohit bhai told me that I will bat at no 6 in Delhi 2nd innings. The moment Australia were all out, I was ready to bat and contribute. The intent is never a problem, shot selection is critical on these tracks. Runs will come here if shot selection is right. Trusting defence is key,” he added.