AUS vs IND 2024-25: Why is Shubman Gill not playing fourth Test?

AUS vs IND 2024-25: Why is Shubman Gill not playing fourth Test? (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Team India made a bold decision and dropped Shubman Gill from the fourth Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Captain Rohit Sharma confirmed the development at the toss as he noted that India will be playing an extra spinner in Washington Sundar. The team management was concerned with Gill’s form in the longest format as of late and with the series moving towards its business end, he was sacrificed as the captain will move to the top of the order to balance things.

In 2024, the youngster played 12 Tests and scored 866 runs at an average of 43.30 – which is interestingly higher than Rohit and senior batter Virat Kohli. However, since KL Rahul has found his mojo, having scored 235 runs in the last six innings and is the second-leading run-scorer in the series, Gill had to make his way out.

The motivation behind the move was also to play an extra spinner as the surface is expected to favour them as the game progresses. As per reports, the cracks at the MCG are likely to open up in the heat and that’s when the spinners can make a mark and that’s one of the biggest reasons behind Gill getting dropped and Washington making his comeback.

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On the other hand, Australia made two changes to their playing XI. Youngster Sam Konstas is all set to make his international debut as he was handed his Baggy Green earlier in the day and he will be opening alongside Usman Khawaja in the match. Nathan McSweeney, who fared reasonably in the series has been dropped from the playing XI. On the other hand, ace pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the series and Scott Boland will feature in his absence.

Meanwhile, The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first, which the India captain also wanted to do, as he mentioned.

Playing XI:

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.