Rohit Sharma "likely to open" at the MCG, reveals Nayar

Not a fan of announcing the Playing XI well ahead of a Test, India staged a significant surprise when the Boxing Day Test commenced on Thursday. Australia's introduction of Sam Konstas in the batting attack was a well-versed move. However, a transition in the Indian batting order was not anticipated in the contest that marked the fourth fixture of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The visitors included an additional spin option, Washington Sundar, alongside Ravindra Jadeja for the match. Moreover, the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, acted on the urge to return to the top order in light of utterly disappointing performances in the middle order. However, these changes led to Shubman Gill being left out of the combination for the all-important clash against the Kangaroos.

"Not dropped, just unfortunate": Abhishek Nayar says about Shubman Gill not playing the Boxing Day Test

The Indian batting order has proved to be the weakest link in the three matches played so far in the BGT. Barring KL Rahul, none of the batters, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have taken the onus to carry the lineup. However, as the competition intensified with the Boxing Day Test, Shubman Gill landed at the target of all the repercussions. In an attempt to regain his form, the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, decided to return to the top order. Moreover, it is likely for the skipper to open the innings along with Yashasvi Jaiswal while KL Rahul bats down at the No.3 position. However, how fair it is to drop a specialist batter in favor of playing two spin options at the MCG remains a rather debatable issue.

Following Day 1 of the fourth BGT Test, where Australian batters displayed an impressive turnout with the bat, India's assistant coach addressed the press. In his interaction with the media, Abhishek Nayar defended the decision to promote Rohit Sharma in the batting order. Moreover, Nayar had just "unfortunate" to say for Shubman Gill, who faced the axe to make it possible for the captain to regain a spot in the top order.

“Yes, Rohit will come up in the order, and more likely than not, he will open the innings. That was the thought process. Unfortunately for Gill, just how things spanned out, he had to miss out,” Nayar said.

Opening up about the decision to drop Gill from the Boxing Day Test, Nayar avoided calling the move a 'drop.'

“I just feel for a young player in a position like that, a big day, he wants to make his mark. He understands it’s the team’s requirement and it’s unfortunate, but I wouldn’t say that he’s been dropped per se. It’s just unfortunate that he couldn’t find his place in this game,” Nayar said about Gill not playing the Boxing Day Test.

Whatever Nayar addresses it as, it is evident that the 25-year-old has been, in fact, dropped to make way for Sharma up the order. Nayar explained that the added depth in the order with Washington Sundar placed at No.7 in the lineup will only benefit India. However, it remains to be determined if the gamble plays in favor of the visitors or costs them the series down under.