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Rohit Sharma Presser: Captain Gives Verdict On KL vs Gill, WTC Final Dream


image-lenxt1tsIndia have a lead of 2-nil in the BGT 2023 (AP Photo)

After a long lay-off, Team India is all set for the another battle against the Australians in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023. The Rohit Sharma-led outfit has already annihilated the visitors twice in the series, and they are just one win away from bagging their ticket for the much-awaited World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final. 

Prior to the third Test match, India had an optional net session, where only captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill came out for some drills - which hints at the latter finally getting his due opportunity over out-of-form KL Rahul.


The Indian skipper, meanwhile, played safe in the pre-match press conference on the KL-Gill debate.

"See, I said this after the last game as well, everyone goes through a tough time. But we will give extra time to the players who have extra potential to prove themselves. Being vice-captain or not being vice-captain doesn't matter. His (KL Rahul's) removal of vice-captaincy doesn't indicate anything. We have not decided yet, we will take a call before the toss. Both have done their preparations. All 17 players are in lines for selection," Sharma said in the presser.

Further in the presser, Sharma talked about what making the WTC Final means to the team. He also said they might use the Ahmedabad Test as a dress rehearsal for the pinnacle Test match, giving Shardul Thakur an opportunity.

"We are not there yet but if we reach it will be a great achievement reaching back to back WTC Finals. The team management is thinking on those lines. And if we do that Shardul Thakur will come into the scheme of things," he added.

Interestingly, Thakur isn't part of the Indian squad for the ongoing series, but he played a vital cog in India's last tour of England. 

The Indian skipper spoke in lengths about the English condition as the WTC Final, just like the final of the last cycle, will be held in England. He seemed confident of his side playing enough cricket in those conditions, but said they aren't thinking too much.

"We have played enough Cricket in England and so are other teams like Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa (whoever is still in the race). So, we are thinking so far ahead as of now but the conditions in England will not be alien for anyone."

The third Test of the BGT 2023 will begin on Wednesday (March 1).

Apart from a change or half, India are expected to field the same team that played in Delhi. However, after a zillion injuries and a few personal reasons, Australia are forced to do a couple to changes to the playing lineup.