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Shubman Gill To Return To India's Playing XI At SCG? BCCI Official's Big Revelation

Akshita Patel∙ Updated: Jan 1 2025, 12:15 PM

Gill in line to play fifth Test of BGT [Source: @ShubmanGill/X.com]Gill in line to play fifth Test of BGT [Source: @ShubmanGill/X.com]

In an interesting development, Telegraph India has reported that Shubman Gill is likely to be included in the playing XI for the SCG Test to bring stability into the top order. According to a BCCI source, Gill would rather replace a fast bowler than a batter to extend batting depth.

Shubman Gill, otherwise an established player in Test cricket, was dropped from the fourth Test between India and Australia to accommodate all-rounder Washington Sundar. The idea behind the move was to extend bowling depth, as skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Abhishek Nayar revealed. 

However, the move worked against India as they struggled to score runs on the board in MCG, and such has been the pattern for the visitors this series.

Shubman Gill in for whom? BCCI source spills beans

Meanwhile, ahead of the must-win fifth Test scheduled at Sydney Cricket Ground for January 3, India will most likely bring in more changes. According to Telegraph India, Gill will return to the playing XI and likely take his usual spot at no.3. 

Moreover, the publication spoke to a BCCI source who suggested that Gill will likely replace fast bowler Akash Deep, leaving the visitors one bowler short for the final Test. The unnamed BCCI personnel argued that having depth in batting is crucial for SCG's hitting-friendly wicket. 

“Benching (pacer) Akash Deep and bringing Gill in his place is definitely one option. Yes, by doing so, the team will be one specialist bowler short. But then, when you have two quicks (Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj) and as many spinners (Ravindra Jadeja and Washington) along with a seamer all-rounder (Reddy), it’s quite fair if you look to strengthen your batting," the source said.

Moreover, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, and Ravindra Jadeja, India has enough options with the ball.

Pant to be dropped for Jurel?

In another explosive claim made by popular journalist Vikrant Gupta, India is likely to drop Rishabh Pant from the playing XI for the SCG Test. Pant has been under fire for his unwarranted dismissals in both innings of the Boxing Day Test, leading to the visitors' 184-run defeat. 

The journalist further commented that wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel will be the natural choice to take Pant's place. The youngster has made plenty of promise ever since his first game in the England series in 2024. He also made twin half-centuries during a practice game against Australia-A.