Shubman Gill revealed that he was asked by India's head coach about his preferred batting position as the team moved into a transition with Yashasvi Jaiswal making his debut in the first Test against West Indies in Dominica on July 12, 2023.
So far, Shubman Gill had only played as an opener in all three formats for India, having made his Test debut in Melbourne two years ago. However, with Cheteshwar Pujara being dropped from the squad for the West Indies series, either he or Jaiswal was primed for the no.3 spot.
But it was revealed by captain Rohit Sharma on the eve of the first Test, that the southpaw would open the batting with him and Gill would take over from Pujara at the no.3 spot.
"They (Team management) asked me where I wanted to bat, and I said I wanted No. 3. It is a position where I want to consolidate. It is always good to play with a new ball. I have the experience with the new ball, and when you're batting at No. 3, it is not very different although it is a little bit of a difference," Gill told host broadcasters.
He also said that given that the roles are different for him this time around, he doesn’t feel like a senior player with new faces coming into the side.
Gill had an excellent IPL 2023 season where he won the IPL Orange Cap by amassing 890 runs in 17 matches, with three centuries to his name. After the WTC 2023 Final, Gill said that he enjoyed the one-month break.
"I enjoyed the one-month break, spent time with my family. This is my first time in Barbados it was, also my first time in Dominica. We came here much before, and had good training,” he added.
Meanwhile, West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first in Dominica and handed a debut to Alick Athanaze. For India, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan made their Test debuts as well.
(PTI inputs)
