India are leading the 4-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series 2-0 after winning the first two Tests of the series in Nagpur and Delhi. Although the hosts registered comfortable wins, KL Rahul remained a thorn in the Indian side with his miserable form with the willow in the game’s longest format. The recently married batter scored 20, 17, and 1 in his three chances in the BGT series against Australia.
As such, there was a lot of talk about Shubman Gill replacing KL Rahul in the upcoming Test. Rahul was stripped of his vice-captaincy status in the squads announced for Tests 3 and 4 of the BGT. That was a clear indication of an upcoming change in the XI. Fans were initially elated at Shubman Gill finally getting his chance. However, Gill could not do much himself on the tricky Indore pitch.
Shubman Gill got out for 21 in the first innings in Indore
Although much hope was riding on Shubman Gill to make the most out of his rare chance, he could not impress much in the first innings of the Indore Test. He got out for 21 off 18 deliveries after Matthew Kuhnemann found Gill’s outside edge. The catch was completed by acting captain Steve Smith fielding in the slips. Notably, Gill’s meagre score of 21 is still more than KL Rahul’s highest score of 20 in the series. Interestingly, Gill and Rahul were seen shaking hands in the dressing room after the former got out during the ongoing Test in Indore.
Notably, the ongoing BGT series is India’s last chance to book a berth in the final of the Global Test Championships to be played at the Oval between 7 and 11 June 2023. The equation for India was to win 3-0 or 3-1 at least to qualify, making the ongoing Indore Test crucial. The hosts, struggling after getting bowled out for 108 in the first innings, cannot afford any slip-ups.
Here’s how fans reacted to KL Rahul and Shubman Gill shaking hands in the dressing room:
Bhai kaam ho gaya, Next match mei apka place pakka!
— Cricket Fan 07 (@Manas_pr_sharma) March 1, 2023
met kya bc ek hi dressing room me to rahte h Mufa bsdk
— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) March 1, 2023
Wo bol raha hai thanks yaar jaan bacha li meri ?
— Ravindra Bisht | ???????? ????? ?? (@RavindraBishtUk) March 1, 2023
KL Rahul: You have taken my place don't disappoint me
Meabwhile Gill: pic.twitter.com/QNobHY98eh
— ? (@SarcasticCowboy) March 1, 2023
Miss you KL Rahul bhai pic.twitter.com/rZ0BJF5v3p
— Gautam (@IndiaTweetrian) March 1, 2023
Kl Rahul be like pic.twitter.com/r6iITU6O2W
— Front Foot ?? (@frontfoot73) March 1, 2023
— Purva Kadam (@Kohlifitoor) March 1, 2023
KL said :- Thank you gill for playing ahead of me
Fans would've murdered me if I play in this pitch.— Girish Reddy (@girishreddyt12) March 1, 2023
