Rohit backs Gill’s form as India readies for Boxing Day Test with practice on fresh pitches

The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the crucial fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) starting on Boxing Day. With the series level at 1-1, the outcome of the match holds significant weight for both teams’ chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship Final. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma addressed several key points in a pre-match press conference, including pitch conditions, team composition, and Shubman Gill’s form.

India faced challenges leading up to the Test as they were initially allotted used pitches for practice, reportedly worn out from the Big Bash League (BBL). These surfaces offered low bounce, impacting the quality of preparations. Skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that the team practiced on used pitches in prior sessions but would have fresh surfaces on Tuesday.

“The pitches we trained on were used, likely from the BBL, and kept low. Today is the only day we’ll train on fresher wickets, and we’ll assess them accordingly,” Rohit said. He also noted a grass covering on the match pitch and hinted at the possibility of including an extra spinner depending on the conditions.

MCG head curator Matt Page clarified that fresh practice pitches are made available three days before the match, ensuring fair preparation for both teams.

Young batter Shubman Gill’s performance in Tests has been under scrutiny, particularly in overseas conditions. While Gill has a solid home record with 1,177 runs at an average of 42.03, his numbers in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) are less impressive, with an average of 26.72. Despite his struggles, Rohit Sharma expressed full support for the 25-year-old.

“Gill has always been one of our bright young prospects. He looked good in Adelaide but couldn’t convert his starts into big scores. These overseas tours can be challenging, but we know his quality and are giving him clear messaging to back his abilities,” Rohit said.

Rohit emphasized that Gill understands his game well and has previously scored heavily in domestic cricket. He added, “The key is converting those 30s and 40s into big scores. We trust him to deliver, and it’s about ensuring he feels supported without overcomplicating things.”

Addressing the possibility of changes in the lineup, Rohit hinted at adapting to the conditions, including the potential inclusion of an extra spinner. He acknowledged the importance of fielding the best XI for the MCG and Sydney matches.

“We’ll consider all factors, including the weather and pitch, to decide the best combination. Whether it’s playing an extra spinner or not, the focus is on putting out a balanced team to maximize our chances,” Rohit stated.

With the series finely poised, the Boxing Day Test will be pivotal in determining the eventual winner of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both teams are aware of the stakes, with victory being crucial for their World Test Championship campaigns.

Also See: India vs Australia Tour Schedule | India Cricket Schedule | Australia Cricket Schedule

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head (VC), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.