The fourth Test match between India and Australia will be played from 9th March which is also the last match of the Border- Gavaskar trophy. However, the question still arises over whether the Indian playing XI should play KL Rahul or Shubman Gill as an opener.
The former captain of Australia Ricky Ponting has urged the Indian Cricket management to play both Shubman Gill and KL Rahul for the final Test of the series.
While Gill failed to capitalize on his start in the third Test against Australia, Rahul, who opened in the first two Tests, was unable to give India the crucial start that they badly needed. Ponting stated that Gill may open and Rahul could move down in the middle order for the Test in Ahmedabad. This is a much important Test match for India as they will look to settle down their place in the ICC Test Championship.
“With someone like KL Rahul having gone out of this side and Shubman Gill having come in, both these guys have played a bit of Test match cricket and you could potentially have both of those guys in the same team,” Ponting said on ICC review.
He further added, “Maybe Shubman could start at the top and KL could potentially move down into the middle order because he’s played cricket in those (English) conditions before, albeit at the top of the order. But one thing we know about the UK is that the ball swings for long periods of time during the day. And if the overhead conditions are suitable, then the ball tends to swing right the way through an inning.”
Australia won the third match of the series by 9 wickets. With this win, the series still stands in favor of Australia by 2-1 with the last one to go in Ahmedabad.
