Dravid reminded everyone of Gill’s 91-run knock during the 2020-21 tour of Australia.
There is a lot of excitement around India’s upcoming Test tour of Australia. The two teams are slated to square off in a five-match Test series, starting November 22 in Perth.
India have won the last two Test series Down Under, while they have held onto the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy since March 2017. But the situation is a lot different this time around as they are coming into the series on the back of a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home.
The current Indian batting lineup has come under a lot of scrutiny after having succumbed against the Kiwi spinners. Hence, many pundits and former cricketers are suggesting that the visitors would miss the services of someone like Rahul Dravid or Cheteshwar Pujara in Australia.
However, Dravid reckons India would not miss him or Pujara as they have Shubman Gill at their disposal. He also reminded everyone how Gill’s knock of 91 gave India a series-clinching win at the Gabba during the 2020-21 tour of Australia.
"Well, they've got Shubman Gill, who is a terrific player. He's had some great success in Australia the last time. Everyone talks about Rishabh's 80 [89] and rightly so, but I think Shubman got 91 to set the game up on that fifth morning," Dravid told ESPNcricinfo.
"So no, he's a fine, fine player, he's a great kid, and he's learning. Bats differently, slightly, to me and Pujara, but still a very, very good player," he added.
It is worth mentioning here that India will miss the services of Shubman Gill in the Perth Test as he fractured his thumb while fielding in the slips during the match simulation at the WACA on Saturday (November 16).
The tourists would also be without skipper Rohit Sharma, who has stayed back in India to spend more time with his family and newborn son. He is expected to join the squad ahead of the second Test in Adelaide.
Dravid believes India need runs from the top-four batters if they are to complete a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia.
"Runs on the top will be important. Now whether it comes from one, two or three or four, it doesn't really matter. You're going to need one of that top four or two of the top four to have a great series," said Dravid.
"That really helps in Australia. With the Kookaburra ball and those conditions, if you can get through that initial period and have your top four soak in a lot of that period, it really allows your lower order to be able to control and dominate those games," he remarked.
The first Test in Perth will be followed by the pink-ball day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval (December 6-10), after which the series will move to Brisbane (December 14-18) for the third match. Melbourne will host the traditional Boxing Day Test from December 26-30, while the New Year Test will be played in Sydney from January 3-7.