Ryan ten Doeschate, the batting coach, has confirmed that Shubman Gill, who was dealing with a neck strain, is fully prepared for the Pune Test. Sarfaraz Khan, who recently scored his first Test century, is in good form. However, Captain Rohit Sharma had expressed his intention to provide KL Rahul with an opportunity to bat at No. 6.
Despite the fatigue setting in for the net bowlers and the support staff being occupied with packing their gear while colleagues had already left, Shubman Gill remained dedicated at the nets. He continued to face throw-downs and execute lofted shots against spinners with effortless arm extensions. Occasionally, a team member would check on his well-being, to which Gill responded positively by showcasing his readiness through skillful paddle sweep drills. This unwavering commitment indicated his preparedness for the upcoming challenges in Pune.
Should medical experts deem him fit, Gill might stage a return for the Pune Test after a neck sprain kept him out of the Bengaluru Test, possibly reclaiming the No. 3 spot. Despite Gill training in the nets in Bengaluru last week with some slight discomfort, batting coach Ryan ten Doeschate approached the situation with caution, expressing optimism about Gill’s readiness for the impending Test.
The arrival of Gill will pose a selection challenge as either KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan will have to be chosen for the field.
Should the pitch in Pune display significant turn, Sarfaraz’s prowess against spin bowlers would be indispensable, further solidifying his position post his impressive 150 at Chinnaswamy.
Rahul and Gill are now locked in a direct competition, entering an intriguing phase in their careers where they are demonstrating the ability to transform talent into consistent performance, moving past any previous obstacles they faced just a few months back.
In Bengaluru, Rahul faced disappointment by failing in both innings, a fact lamented by coach ten Doeschate who highlighted that those were the only two challenging deliveries for him. Nonetheless, his recent performances have been noteworthy, with a remarkable century in Centurion and two crucial half-centuries. Centuries scored abroad, particularly overseas, hold a lasting significance. Notably, Rahul has crafted five out of his eight Test centuries in SENA countries.
At the age of 32, this opportunity might be his final attempt to master the art of consistency, a challenge that has haunted his career plagued by frequent injuries. Just when he was aiming to stabilize his performance, a quadricep strain in the Hyderabad Test derailed his plans. The previous year saw him undergoing quadricep surgery, and in 2021, a thigh strain further interrupted his progress.
Following his comeback from the latest injury, his form seems to be lacking in runs rather than being out of touch. Ten Doeschate further explained that during a discussion, it was revealed that in the previous Test match, the player didn’t miss a single delivery. However, this scenario often occurs when runs are hard to come by. In the recent game, he faced only two balls, got caught on the leg side with one, and nicked the other. Thus, there is no need to worry about KL’s performance as he is currently in a positive mental state.
He showcased impressive skill in the nets, consistently making solid contact with the majority of balls. Starting off with a series of powerful drives against fast bowlers, he then surprised everyone by executing reverse sweeps, a shot not commonly associated with his style. Similar to Gill, he displayed great determination by batting for an extended period, finishing off the session with a couple of beautifully executed pull shots.
In addition, Ten Doeschate cited the case of Sanju Samson, whom Gautam Gambhir allowed to develop at his own pace and eventually flourished in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. Similarly, Rohit Sharma emphasized in the initial Test match that he aimed to provide Rahul with ample time to settle in at the crucial No.6 position. Over the course of his career, Rahul has showcased his versatility by batting in various positions, ranging from opening to No.3, 4, and 6.
The reasoning behind the team management’s decision to give him more leeway is elaborated in this statement.
Though his multitasking abilities make him a valuable asset, there are reservations about entrusting him with crucial roles such as emergency management and backup wicket-keeping, especially considering his experience on three tours. The team management seems hesitant to include him in the squad for the upcoming tour to Australia due to concerns about his current mindset.
Gill has secured a significant role as the No.3 batsman in the team, a position he was gradually settling into before being sidelined by an injury. Following a period of uncertainty marked by struggles against both swing and spin deliveries, he made a strong comeback with a century against England in Visakhapatnam. Subsequently, he has managed to score two centuries and a near-century in nine innings. Given that there are only two more Tests left before the Australia series, it is unlikely that Kohli will persist with Gill at No.3 to make room for Rahul lower down the batting order.
Additionally, India aims to secure a spot in the top seven before their arrival in Perth for the inaugural Test match.
India is grappling with a logistical puzzle as Doeschate delves into the dilemma, stating, “We are faced with the task of accommodating seven components in just six positions for the upcoming Test. Our strategy will hinge on the pitch conditions to determine the optimal lineup for the team. Nonetheless, we must not forget the fiercely competitive nature of the environment.
