Shubman Gill Batting at No. 3 in Tests Against WI

Shubman Gill, a batsman for Team India, will bat at No. 3 in the forthcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies.

With bold personnel moves being made as Team India begins the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC), this move denotes a revamped strategy.

Notably, younger players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been added while veteran Cheteshwar Pujara was left off the roster. Gill’s batting position will shift since Jaiswal, who will be making his debut in the series opener, will open alongside captain Rohit Sharma.

Gill has predominantly played as an opener since making his Team India debut, securing his position when other openers like KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal battled with form.

However, Gill’s decision to bat at No. 3 in a Test match against the West Indies could have some negative effects. Let’s look at three reasons why this action might not be the best one.

First off, despite the team’s desire for a left-hand-right-hand opening duo, it seems problematic to move an experienced opener down to No. 3 to make room for a left-handed opening hitter.

Although Gill personally requested the change, it is the team’s duty to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this choice, especially when it includes demoting a qualified candidate.

Second, an abrupt change in position could ruin Gill’s remarkable form. During the Caribbean trip in 2022, when he was selected Player of the Series, Gill’s circumstances improved. He has been a consistent member of the Indian team ever since.

All of his hard work, though, may be undone by a run of bad grades. Indian cricket’s top-order is a fiercely competitive league where many gifted batsmen are vying for playing time.

In 2023, Gill had a standout year, earning the Orange Cap in the IPL, securing his spot at the top of the order in ODIs, and registering numerous hundreds in red-ball cricket. India’s preparations for the Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup depend on his performance.

Reintegrating Gill into the opening spot if the move to No. 3 fails could be difficult, particularly if Yashasvi Jaiswal performs well.Last but not least, moving Gill to No. 3 might not be a long-term fix. It would be premature to conclude that Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari’s international careers are ended just because they aren’t currently on the team.

Pujara has previously taken back his position after being demoted, and Vihari, who is 29 years old, has the opportunity to make a comeback with a successful domestic campaign.

Recently, Ajinkya Rahane made a successful comeback, while Shreyas Iyer is about to make his comeback after overcoming an injury. India has many possibilities, therefore Gill’s move to No. 3 might simply be a temporary strategy, depending on the situation.

Finally, while shifting Shubman Gill to No. 3 in the Test series against the West Indies reflects Team India’s renewed focus, there are legitimate worries about the loss of an experienced opener, the potential disruption of Gill’s form, and the availability of other talented players. It is yet to be seen whether this decision will be a success or whether changes will be required down the road.