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The fourth IND vs AUS Test in Melbourne brought a surprising twist for fans as star batter Shubman Gill was absent from the Indian Playing XI. During the toss, Rohit Sharma announced one change—Washington Sundar joined the XI. Rohit himself moved up to open the innings, leaving fans questioning Gill’s exclusion.
After Day 1, India’s assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, addressed the elephant in the room: “Shubman Gill was not dropped,” he stated, putting to rest the rumors surrounding the ace batter’s form.
Why Gill Missed Out
Nayar clarified that while Gill wasn’t injured, team strategy dictated the XI. “Unfortunately for Gill, he had to miss out due to how things panned out,” Nayar said. Gill’s recent performances—31, 29, and 1 in the Border Gavaskar Trophy—did spark conversations, but Nayar emphasized that the decision wasn’t based solely on those scores.
Instead, India opted for two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, to tackle Australia’s middle and lower-order batters. The inclusion of Sundar, an off-spinner, was seen as vital for dealing with players like Travis Head and Alex Carey.
Team Comes First
“It’s about the team’s requirement,” Nayar said, adding, “Gill understands the decision. It’s unfortunate, but it wasn’t a matter of form or injury. It was just how the team strategy evolved for this game.”
While some expected a pacer-friendly approach on the green Melbourne pitch, the Indian team management believed Sundar’s bowling variety would be more effective. “The thought process wasn’t to strengthen the batting,” Nayar explained.
Final Takeaway
Shubman Gill’s absence from the Melbourne Test wasn’t a matter of being dropped. Instead, it was a calculated move to balance the team’s composition. As fans, we look forward to seeing Gill back in action soon!
