IND vs AUS, Holkar Cricket Stadium Test: Shubman Gill to replace KL Rahul as opener

In-form batting sensation Shubman Gill is set to replace out-of-form KL Rahul in the third Test against Australia at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, starting from Wednesday.

Rahul has been under radar for his poor run in international cricket and as a result will lose his spot to Gill. He was stripped off as the vice-captain of Team India following the Delhi Test. The Karnataka star has failed to repay the faith and long-rope given to him by the Indian team management.

In his last 10 innings across the format, Rahul has scored only 125 runs, averaging less than 35. In the last three innings so far in the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy, he has returns of 20, 17 and 1.

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Shubman Gill will look to cement his spot

Gill has been in phenomenal form in limited-overs recently. He is the top-scorer across format for Team in the ongoing season. He notched up a double century in the ODIs and century in T20Is. The 23-year-old scored his maiden Test hundred in December last year against Bangladesh.

He has become the fan-favourite through his performance and the management will look to include him in the playing XI. His omission in the playing XI was highly questioned by the Indian cricket fraternity. He will, however, open with Rohit Sharma in the third Test.

Gill was a part of the practice session for Team India in the third Test. He was seen practicing as a slip cordon along with former India captain Virat Kohli.

Fun times in the field ft. @imVkohli 🙂 💪#TeamIndia sharpen their catching skills ahead of the 3rd #INDvAUS Test in Indore. 👍 👍@mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/6VtHfBBbLt

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 27, 2023