Dropping of Shubman Gill in Boxing Day Test baffles fans, experts

Shubman Gill fans were in for a shock on Thursday morning when the classy right-hand batter was dropped from the Boxing Day Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Thursday.

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Skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed at the toss that Gill would miss out on, with all-rounder Washington Sundar making it to the playing XI.

The 25-year-old has struggled on this tour with scores of 1, 28 and 31 in the series at an average of 20. The Punjab opener missed the series opener in Perth due to a finger injury.

Gill's exclusion can be explained on three counts: team's unsettled batting order, skipper choosing an allrounder instead of a specialist batsman to suit the playing conditions, and Gill's inability to get big scores.

He had posted 45 and 35* in the last Boxing Day Test India played at the MCG in 2020.

Gill's top score in the last five away Tests is 36.

Gill, who has an average of 38.76 in eight matches Down Under, has struggled to get big scores in the series but so have the big guns. He currently has the second best strike rate after KL Rahul in the Indian team on the tour.

The visitors chose to go in with allrounder Washington Sundar on a tricky Melbourne pitch with Nitish Reddy and Akash Deep holding on to their places in the side.

The Indian team management decision meant that the team plays with five designated batters and six bowling options, including two tweakers, in the series for the first time.

The dropping of Gill, who averages 35.76 in 31 Tests, from the playing XI became a matter of discussion among the Indian fans, commentators and experts.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar posted on X, "Strange selection of the playing XI. On a non-turning pitch, the change made neither strengthens the bowling much nor the batting. Gill dropped, is harsh!"

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said, “Dropping Gill is baffling. He’s the kind of player who can win you matches even when out of form.”

Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan said. “If I were part of the Indian dressing room, I would have told Gautam Gambhir to continue with Gill. He hasn’t done anything wrong and has the second best strike rate after KL Rahul. He was phenomenal with the bat in the last Test series. He played well over here. I would have liked to see the same playing XI."