Follow UsCricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra says he is not particularly happy with the fact that India have decided to go in with Shubman Gill for the opening slot. With regular opener KL Rahul missing out due to an injury, India are left with just Gill as the only other opening option.
Skipper Rohit Sharma's participation in the Edgbaston Test too hangs in the balance as he tested positive for Covid-19. If Rohit is unable to take field, Gill will have a new opening partner. Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari could be an option given that they have donned the opener's role in their Test careers previously.
“India do not have many options and will have to go with Shubman Gill. But I am not necessarily happy about it," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"This is because Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul did a fine job at the top last year in England. They gave good starts and the team did well because of that. Starting well is important in England as if you lose two early wickets, it becomes difficult to get back on track."
Gill looked in good touch in the warm-up game against Leicestershire. In the first innings, he scored 21 off 28, while in the second, he slammed a quick-fire 38 off just 34 deliveries.
Gill, who played last of his 10 Tests against New Zealand at Wankhede last year, has scored 558 runs at 32.82, which includes four fifties in 19 innings.