Mumbai, 28/2: Rohit Sharma is ready to make a new start as a Test captain. The 2-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka (India vs Sri Lanka) is starting from March 4. Earlier, India had made a clean sweep of 3-0 in the T20 series. However, senior batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have not got a chance for the series. Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari can be given a chance in their place. The first Test is to be held in Mohali. This is the 100th Test of Virat Kohli. Earlier, Kohli was rested for the T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Shubman Gill is ready to play and coach Rahul Dravid would love to put him in the middle order. It is likely that Gill will get a chance at number-3 after Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. Former Indian opener Devang Gandhi said, ‘I believe that Shubman is the best option for number-3. He can open the innings, but it is Mayank to open the innings with Rohit. In such a situation, the third number will be the best for Shubman.
There is a double century in the middle order
Devang Gandhi, who was the national selector till January 2021, said that Gill was initially being groomed for the middle-order role before debuting in Test cricket as an opener in Australia. He said, ‘Why do I think the team management can drop him at number-3, because when we looked at him, he scored a double century against West Indies-A in the middle order. Apart from this, he has started the innings in Test matches and at number-3 he can play the new ball very well.
Chance for Pant at No.5
Ajinkya Rahane mainly batted at number 5, but there is every possibility that Dravid and Rohit can field Rishabh Pant at this number, while Hanuma Vihari will land at number 6. Gandhi said, ‘If you look at our top order, Mayank, Rohit, Shubman and Virat are all right-handed batsmen. In such a situation, it would be better if the number 5 batsman is left-handed, so that the combination of batsmen can be formed. After this Vihari can land at number 6 and then Ravindra Jadeja at number 7, who is a left-handed batsman.