In addition to already playing Test cricket, Gill has the experience of batting in the middle order in the long format and scoring a double century for India-A. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has not played Test cricket till now. But his strength is to effectively tackle the spinners. BCCI is confident that Surya can attack Nathan Lyon.
Captain Rohit Sharma and Vice Captain KL Rahul will be the first openers in Border Gavaskar Trophy. Pujara will bat at number three and Virat Kohli at number four. As the person who comes to bat at number five has to face the second new ball, that position is very important.
Gill, who went to the West-A tour for India-A, batted in the middle-order and scored a double century in a Test. Later he became an opener’, a former selector reminded. When it comes to Surya, his ability to dominate the spinners on pitches suitable for spin is going to be important. If Nathan Lyon breaks, Surya can knock him down with his footwork. But Gill can bat better against the bowling of pacers like Cummins and Hazlewood’, he opined.
While the first Test against Australia will begin on February 9 at Nagpur, the Indian team will begin preparation in Mumbai after the third T20I against New Zealand.
