The Curious Case of Shubman

Ahead of Sydney Test, Gill's Inclusion in Playing XI a Conundrum

SYDNEY: Standing at the crossroads of his Test career, skipper Rohit Sharma has certain choices to make in the best interests of the Indian team heading into the fifth and final Test against Australia.

With the series on line after his team's 184-run drubbing in the Boxing Day Test, the Indian captain might have to field his six best batters at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which will pave the way for Shubman Gill's inclusion in the playing XI after being dropped for the previous game in Melbourne.

With 866 runs in Test cricket in 2024, Gill is second only to Yashasvi Jaiswal in the list of highest scorers among Indian batters in the last one year, and one can't blame the elegant player if he is feeling hard done by being asked to sit out at MCG.

Rohit, though, informed that the team management explained Gill the reasons behind his omission in Melbourne. He was dropped to ensure better balance in the playing XI with Washington Sundar's bowling being an additional advantage.