Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who had been the hero for India in their last two Test series wins in Australia, has stated that young Shubman Gill, who has been batting at no.3, should stick to his strengths in Australia.
Pujara highlighted that each hitter should stick to their own style and skills, and it is unfair to expect Test batsmen, particularly No. 3 specialists, to approach the game in the same way he did. Cheteshwar Pujara encouraged Shubman Gill to trust his technique and establish his own style while batting in key top-order positions.
"Test match cricket is moving forward a bit. If you look at the way white-ball cricket is being played these days, many players are coming into Test cricket after playing T20Is and ODIs. I think every player plays to their strengths, and every batter should do so. I batted according to my strengths and weaknesses. I played the way I was taught during my formative years, where temperament and patience were highly valued.
But you can’t change the style of modern-day batters. I can’t go and tell them that Test cricket should be played the way I played it. They should play to their strengths,” Pujara replied to a question from India Today on the Star Sports Press Room.
Pujara urged Gill to master shot selection and focus on identifying deliveries he should leave alone.
Shubman Gill is set to miss the first Test in Perth due to a hairline fracture of his left thumb. However, he is expected to recover in time for the second Test, a day-night affair starting on December 6 in Adelaide.
"Shubman has already played Tests in Australia. He has experience in handling those conditions. He should back his style and play according to it. But he needs to be clear about which shots to play and which ones to avoid because you can’t play many of the shots in Australia that you play in India.
He needs to assess his strengths and identify the shots he must avoid. But he is a very talented player with a wide range of shots in his repertoire. Still, in Australia, you often have to avoid many shots. He needs to identify and avoid those,” Pujara added.
On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara suggested that KL Rahul should take over the No. 3 spot given that he has experience of batting in the middle order as a factor that makes him well-suited for the role.
"From what we’re hearing, it’s likely that KL Rahul will open the batting. But I would prefer him at No. 3 because he has the experience of playing in the top order. However, it seems that Devdutt Padikkal is set to bat at No. 3, which brings in the left-right combination.
KL Rahul has also batted in the middle order — at No. 5 and No. 6. So, comparatively, he may find it easier to bat at No. 3 than to open the innings. I think if he bats at No. 3, it would benefit India," he added.
The first Test begins in Perth on November 22.
