NEW DELHI: India’s preparation for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22 in Perth, has hit a roadblock as opener Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the first Test.
The 25-year-old batter sustained a hairline fracture on his left thumb during a match simulation in Perth on Saturday, leaving Team India searching for a replacement in the playing XI.
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Former Indian cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad has backed Virat Kohli as the ideal candidate to step into the No. 3 slot in Gill’s absence.
Speaking exclusively to TimesofIndia.com, Azad described the importance of placing a team’s best batter at this crucial position.
“I think Kohli is the best bet for number three. He has scored runs at number three (across all formats). And you should always have your best batter at number three,” Azad remarked.
Kohli’s form while batting at No. 3, however, has never been consistent.
In eight innings in the No. 3 slot, since making his Test debut, Kohli has amassed just 167 runs at an average of 23.85, with just one fifty to his name.
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In 2024, his overall Test performance has also been underwhelming – scoring 250 runs at an average of 22.72 across twelve innings.
In a recent Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli was promoted to bat at number three but endured a disappointing outing, being dismissed for a nine-ball duck.
Despite Kohli’s run of poor form of late, the 65-year-old believes that Kohli is primed to perform under pressure in Australia.
“We start with questioning players if they don’t do well, maybe in a series or maybe a couple of innings. But I suppose he has done a humane service for the country, and we expect him to do well again. And I’m sure he’ll get into form. He likes challenges, though this is a tough one in Australia,” Azad concluded.
