India’s opening combination has been a major talking point ahead of the Test series.
The Rohit Sharma-led side needs to win at least three Tests in the series to qualify for the final, due to be held at the Oval in June 2023.
Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s opening combination has been a major talking point. While many feel that in-form Shubman Gill should partner skipper Rohit Sharma at the top, others are of the opinion KL Rahul will definitely open the innings being a vice-captain of the home side.
Sharing his verdict, former India chief selector MSK Prasad on Saturday (February 4) backed Gill to continue opening for India, saying that the hosts should make good use of the latter’s stunning form across all formats.
Prasad further added that Rahul should bat at No. 5 as he is no stranger to batting in the middle-order.
"I would not mind seeing KL Rahul at No. 5 in Tests. I don't think Gill should be asked to come down the order. Rahul has played well in 50-over cricket and I see no reason why he shouldn't come down the order," MSK Prasad told PTI.
Shubman Gill has been in superb form lately. He stole the limelight with his exploits in the white-ball series against New Zealand. The right-hander registered scores of 208, 40* and 112 in three T20Is while he slammed 126 off 63 balls in the series-deciding third T20I.
On a separate note, Prasad suggested India to play KS Bharat as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the absence of Rishabh Pant. India have also picked Ishan Kishan as a wicketkeeper-batter for the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"He (Bharat) has been groomed for this role even in presence of Rishabh Pant for the past two years. So, it is only fitting that Bharat is given the first chance to don the big gloves. He is ready," Prasad said.