Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour backs young Shubman Gill to do well in the No.3 position for India in the longer format of the game and revealed that the proposal to bat at that position came from the youngsters himself as three openers were supposed to play the 1st test against West Indies.
Shubman Gill has sealed his place in the Indian white-ball team as an opener and also had a decent outing in the test cricket. During the first test against West Indies, he moved to the no.3 spot batting order, in Dominica, after Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped from the squad.
Speaking to the media, Vikram Rathour said that three openers were slated to play the 1st test against West Indies and divulged that Shubman Gill wanted to play at the No.3 position for India in test cricket having played in that spot for Punjab and India A in List A games.
“Three openers were supposed to play, so one had to go at No. 3 and the proposal came from Shubman’s end as his rationale was that he had played all his cricket for Punjab and India A at either No. 3 or 4 and that’s his real slot in longer format is that,” Vikram Rathour said
Shubman Gill touted to be the next big thing in Indian cricket and the prolific batter is expected to be the next superstar from India. He has been in the form of life since the start of the 2023 season, proving to be a vital cog for the Indian team in all three formats of the game.
That Is What We Need At No.3 As It Can Be Advantageous – Vikram Rathour
Vikram Rathour feels that is unfair to judge him on one innings and believes that he got the technique and temperament to play at that spot for the Indian team, as he has got both defensive and attacking games for test cricket and added that he can be vital for the team going forward.
“We can’t judge him on the basis of one innings. He has a lot of time. He has the technique and temperament to play time if required and can also play an attacking game when a move-on is needed. He can move the game forward. That is what we need at No. 3 as it can be advantageous,” Vikram Rathour added.
The 23-year-old has been struggling to perform outside Asia when playing Test cricket and the youngster will look to put up a fine performance in the 2nd test against West Indies followed by a 3-match ODI Series and 5-match T20 series.