Rohit Sharma clarified the reasons for Shubman Gill batting at No. 3 in Tests for India and shared his perspective on why he disliked batting in that position.
The Indian team management made changes for the two-Test series against South Africa, introducing Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener alongside Captain Rohit Sharma and shifting Shubman Gill to No. 3.
This move, along with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane being bypassed, showcased a new approach with Gill at No. 1 and Shreyas Iyer at No. 4.
However, based on the first Test at Centurion, this experimentation needs more time. Gill scored 2 in the first innings and displayed solidity with a 26-run innings before being bowled by Marco Jansen.
Rohit Sharma shared that the decision for Shubman Gill to move from opening to No. 3 was entirely Gill’s choice. While Gill has a record of 966 runs from 33 innings as a Test opener, he hasn’t made the same impact as he has in ODIs.
Apart from notable innings like 91 at the Gabba against Australia and a maiden century during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year, Gill’s impact has been limited. Hence, shifting down a spot may not be a bad idea, considering he is only 24 with potentially another decade in his cricket career.
“There is not much difference (on opening to batting at number 3). It takes just 1 ball for a number 3 to go in. And sometimes when an opener gets injured, a number 3 has to walk out and open the innings.”
”I don’t see much difference there. Gill is smart and understands his batting pretty well,” Rohit Sharma told reporters before the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town.
“He prefers that number. And He has batted in the Ranji Trophy at that number around that position. He has opened in Test and limited overs games but the number 3 was his preference.”
”He feels he can do well for us batting at that position. It is an individual thing about how you think about certain positions.”
“I don’t think No 3 to 7 is the right position for anyone”: Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, having batted at various positions in his Test career before settling as an opener, shared his thoughts on Gill’s new position. Rohit expressed his preference for opening and mentioned he is not keen on any other batting slot.
In 43 innings as an opener, Rohit scored 2097 runs at an average of 51.15. Conversely, between No. 3 and 6, his tally dropped to 1585 with three centuries and six fifties. Despite performing exceptionally at No. 6 with an average of 54.58, Rohit’s strong inclination towards opening is evident.
“I hated batting at number 3 and that is my opinion. Either you open the batting or you wait a little to go down the order to bat at number 5 or 6. Since I started opening, from 3 onwards till number 7, I don’t think it is the right position for anyone,” pointed out Rohit.
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