India National Cricket Team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has revealed why the team management decided to leave the young batting sensation Shubman Gill out of the playing XI in the fourth Test match of the five-match series against Australia National Cricket Team.

Abhishek Nayar also confirmed the return of Rohit Sharma to opening role in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which got underway on Thursday, December 26.

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Rohit will likely come up & open for us – Abhishek Nayar

Speaking to the media after the end of the play on Day 1, Abhishek Nayar confirmed that Rohit will be opening the batting once again.

“Rohit will likely come up & open for us,” said the India National Cricket Team assistant coach.

Abhishek Nayar said “Rohit will likely come up & open for us” [Press/Sports Express] pic.twitter.com/ow7itpvIrt

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2024

Notably, Rohit Sharma was replaced as an opener by KL Rahul and he started batting in the middle-order. The decision to replace Rohit as an opener was made after the duo of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal did a fantastic job while opening the innings in the Perth Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma.

As Rohit Sharma returned to the team after missing the first Test, he decided to give his position at the top-order to KL Rahul and took the No.6 spot himself. Also, the India skipper himself confirmed at the toss that he would be batting in the top order.

He is not really dropped, just couldn’t find his way in the combination – Abhishek Nayar

India made a shocking change to their playing XI for the Melbourne Test as they dropped Shubman Gill, who, despite not scoring big, looked great while facing the Australian bowlers in the first three Tests. Gill was replaced by Washington Sundar in the playing XI for the match.

Talking about this move, the India National Cricket Team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar said that they have not actually ‘dropped’ Shubman Gill and he has just missed out due to a change in playing XI combination. He said:

“Looking at the pitch, we felt Washi could give solidarity along with Jaddu – I feel for Shubman but he understands – He is not really dropped, just couldn’t find his way in the combination.”

Abhishek Nayar said “Looking at the pitch, we felt Washi could give solidarity along with Jaddu – I feel for Shubman but he understands – He is not really dropped, just couldn’t find his way in the combination”. [RevSportz] pic.twitter.com/UiYXdsdJGR

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 26, 2024

More to follow…