Ahead of the first Test against West Indies, India captain Rohit Sharma provided clarification on a couple of batting positions that were in question. Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to open the innings, while Shubman Gill will move down to No. 3, a position that was vacant after Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped.
Rohit mentioned that Gill himself requested coach Rahul Dravid for the middle-order spot. He explained, “Gill will play at No. 3. He had a discussion with Rahul Dravid and expressed that he has played most of his career at No. 3 and 4. He believes he can perform better for the team at No. 3. This arrangement benefits us as well because we will have a left-right opening combination. We will try this out and hopefully, it will be a long-term solution.”
Rohit expressed his optimism about having a left-handed batsman in the team and hoped that Jaiswal would perform well and secure his spot. He said this during the pre-match press conference in Dominica.
Considering the spin-friendly nature of the venue, Rohit mentioned that the team is inclined to play two spinners and three seamers. The decision was influenced by the previous Test played at the same venue in 2017, where spinners took a significant number of wickets. Rohit stated, “With the practice sessions and the bounce on this pitch, we feel that a 3-2 combination is the way to go.”
Rohit expressed his satisfaction with the young players selected for the series, mentioning that they had been closely observed by the selectors. He acknowledged that there were a few players who missed out, but emphasized that everyone would have their opportunities in the future. He specifically highlighted the addition of left-hander Jaiswal and the promising Ruturaj, along with Gill’s consistent performance over the past year.
Addressing concerns about the pace attack’s lack of experience, Rohit emphasized the importance of workload management due to the demanding schedule of Indian players. He mentioned the need to rotate players, provide them with breaks, and ensure they remain fresh for upcoming series, including the upcoming World Cup.
Rohit concluded by mentioning the importance of looking ahead to the future and developing a bench strength of players. He expressed the team’s focus on evaluating players’ performance under pressure and their ability to handle international cricket. He also mentioned Jaydev Unadkat and Mukesh Kumar as potential options and stated that the team would decide on the playing combination accordingly.
