“No one is given that luxury,” Aakash Chopra left puzzled with Shubman Gill’s request to bat at No.3 for India in Tests

Aakash Chopra was puzzled by Shubman Gill's unusual request to bat at No.3.

“No one is given that luxury,” Aakash Chopra left puzzled with Shubman Gill’s request to bat at No.3 for India in Tests

Shubman Gill, Aakash Chopra (Images via The Guardian, YouTube)

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra was puzzled by Shubman Gill’s ‘unusual’ request of batting at number 3 after he has been performing the role of an opener for a long time now. He also wondered how the request got approved by Head Coach Rahul Dravid and Skipper Rohit Sharma since it was strange for a player to make such a request to the management.

India’s playing XI for the first Test against the Windies saw the inclusion of two left-handed debutants in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan. What was strange was the revelation that Shubman Gill would bat at number 3 after requesting a change in his batting order.

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On Shubman Gill’s batting order change, Aakash Chopra said, “Shubman Gill told team management that he wanted to play at no.3. It’s a very interesting thing because you don’t usually hear such things happening in Indian cricket. You don’t see a player telling team management that he likes to bat in a particular position. Neither does anyone make that request, nor anyone is given that luxury.”

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Aakash Chopra believes Shubman Gill at No.3 could turn out to be beneficial

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Source: ProBatsman

Even though Aakash Chopra found Shubman Gill’s request strange, he believes that this change in the batting order could bring positive results for the side. With Gill at 3, Yashasvi Jaiswal got the opportunity to open, and taking into account his capabilities, Gill could do justice to the no.3 spot after it has been left vacant with the departure of Cheteshwar Pujara.

Chopra explained, “But the good thing is Yashasvi Jaiswal can now open. But in Test cricket, if there’s one difficult job, it’s that of an opener. Especially away from home. No.3 is still a challenging spot, but no.4 is the most settled spot and you usually keep your best batter in that spot. You don’t want him to bat with the tail.”

Aakash Chopra however was not surprised by seeing Shubman Gill’s name at No.3 per se. He had predicted in 2020 that we could see Gill batting at number 3 for India soon. The team management would hope that Gill comes good at his new batting spot.

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