Gill yet to finalise batting position ahead of first Test
Bengaluru, June 16 (UNI) Ahead of the much-anticipated Test series against England, Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill said he has not yet locked down his batting position, suggesting that the upcoming practice game will be key in assessing where he might best serve the team.
Responding to a question on whether he had earmarked a specific batting slot at the start of the series, Gill told Sky Sports, "Not really. I think we are playing a practice game, a warm-up game, so I'm going to maybe test the waters in that one and see which batting position suits."
The stylish right-hander, who was India's regular opener until a recent move to No.3, has shown adaptability in recent Test matches. His statement now throws fresh light on the Indian team's deliberations over its top-order structure, especially in English conditions where batting early in the innings presents unique challenges.
The competition for the openers' role has intensified. Young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran are in contention, while the selectors have also kept an eye on Sai Sudarshan who has been in red-hot form. Each option brings a different strength – Jaiswal's aggressive approach, Easwaran's red-ball consistency, and Sudarshan's compact technique.
India's previous tours to England have been marked by top-order collapses, particularly due to the swinging Dukes ball under overcast skies. The team management is therefore expected to weigh recent form, technique, and mental toughness while finalising the lineup. Gill's flexibility could prove pivotal, allowing the team to explore a left-right combination at the top or balance the middle order with his strokeplay.
If Gill slots back at No.3, as he did during the home series against Australia, the door may open for Easwaran or Sudarshan, providing variety against England's right-arm pace attack. However, should conditions or strategy warrant, Gill might well walk out with Jaiswal to open the innings.
"It's going to be a very interesting series," Gill noted, summing up the anticipation around not just the team's performance, but also its evolving structure.
The final XI and batting order will likely emerge after the solitary warm-up game, where team management will closely observe how the contenders handle English conditions.
As India seeks a strong start in its bid to reclaim supremacy in Test cricket, the choice of openers could prove decisive.
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