‘On merit, he deserves a chance’ – Ravi Shastri backs Shubman Gill to feature in 3rd Test ahead of KL Rahul

KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

At the halfway point of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the debate on the inclusion of Shubman Gill at the expense of KL Rahul in the playing XI remains persistent. Ahead of the third game of the four-match Test series, former India head coach, Ravi Shastri has backed Gill to feature in the clash over KL Rahul against the Aussies.

As both cricketing powerhouses are set to make quite a few calls on the selection, there have been reports that the management could drop out-of-form KL Rahul and include Gill for the Indore Test. On the eve of the third Test, Ravi Shastri made an honest admission that the side should include Gill in the upcoming clash.

“He (Shubman Gill) is that good at the moment and whether he scores or doesn’t score, on form, on merit, he deserves a chance. The team management know his (KL Rahul’s) form, they know his mental state. They know how they should be watching someone like Gill,” Shastri said while speaking in the latest episode of The ICC Review.

“Here, you want prime form, you want someone like Gill, who’s red hot. He will challenge. He has to bang that door down and get into the side. Now, he’s not the vice-captain, it has to be team management’s decision,” Shastri added.

It comes down to performance: Ravi Shastri

The Rohit Sharma-led India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and have retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, courtesy of their domineering performances. Despite winning back-to-back matches, Shastri further added that the inclusion of Gill will not affect the team’s combination.

“Not at all. I mean, it’s straight up, it comes down to performance. You stick it on the board. This is the performance. It’s a tough thing for a coach, I remember I had to do it many times, where you just sit down, and explain to the player, ‘This is what’s on the board, what do you think?’,” concluded Shastri.