New Delhi, Sept 12:
Opener KL Rahul was today dropped from the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, propelling senior batsman Rohit Sharma to the opener’s role in red-ball cricket.
Rookie Punjab batsman Shubman Gill, as reported by PTI on Wednesday, has been rewarded with a place in the Test side as back-up floater, who can fit in both as an opener and a middle-order batsman.
“Yes, we are definitely looking at him (Rohit) and want to give him an opportunity up the order. He is keen (on opening) and the selection committee as well as everyone (team management) is keen. We want to see where he stands and then take a call,” said Chairman of Selectors MSK Prasad after the meeting of the panel.
“With regards to Shubman Gill, we look at him as an opener as well as middle-order batsman. We are looking at him as back-up for both the slots. As he keeps playing more and more, he will get his opportunities, because he is a player for all three formats,” he observed.
Another significant development was that Rishabh Pant, despite retaining his place in the squad, could lose his spot in the playing XI to a more accomplished Wriddhiman Saha.
India’s first Test against South Africa will start in Visakhapatnam on October 2, while the second and third games will be held in Pune (October 10-14) and Ranchi (October 19-23) respectively.
Umesh Yadav was dropped from the side as, in Indian conditions, one can’t have the luxury of four specialist pacers when only two will finally play.
Rohit will captain the Board President’s XI in a three-day warm-up match against the Proteas in Vizianagaram from September 26, where he will also test himself in the new role.
The 32-year-old’s stupendous success in white ball cricket has prompted the selectors to take a call on his batting position.
“He is opening in white-ball cricket for a decade now (for six years) and I am sure he has that ability to bat up the order. We have seen that in red ball cricket and if he can replicate that in white ball cricket, nothing like it,” Prasad said.
Prasad also gave a fair indication that team management’s patience with Rishabh Pant is finally running out even though he remains the first-choice for the selection panel.
Asked who among Rishabh or Wriddhiman is the first choice, Prasad gave a twisted reply.
“My answer is same. Let’s see. Rishabh definitely to begin with but we will see whether the team management thinks on those lines. Let’s leave it to them. Also in India, we need a ‘keeper with some more skills playing at home, let’s see how it goes,” he said.
Prasad also felt that it’s better that Umesh Yadav plays domestic cricket as he has no chance to fit in the playing XI when one among Ishant and Shami will be dropped at home.
“Issue right now, we couldn’t have Umesh here as it will be two seamers who will play. If it’s really a seaming track, we go for the third one. So Umesh may not play. For him, it is better to play domestic cricket as we are in domestic season. He is in India A side,” Prasad added.
The Squads:
Test Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (Wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill.
Board President’s XI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, AR Easwaran, Karun Nair, Siddhesh Lad, KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Jalaj Saxena, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Avesh Khan, Ishan Porel, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav. (PTI)
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