A lot happened on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26. While Australia debutant Sam Konstas made headlines with his impressive batting show followed by verbal altercation with Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's playing XI also remained the topic of discussion for many.
However, Indian batting coach Abhishek Nayar in the press conference clarified that Gill was not dropped from the team, stating that his exclusion was due to strategic considerations and not a reflection on his form or performance. Nayar explained that the team management opted for an additional spin option in the form of Washington Sundar, believing it would provide better balance and depth to the team on the Melbourne pitch.
Abhishek Nayar reveals reason behind dropping Shubman Gill for MCG Test
"A lot of the decisions when they are made and the process of it being made, the communication is always there, transparency is there. It's obvious that, we felt, looking at the pitch, that Washy in the bowling attack, will give us a variation, especially towards the end once the ball gets old. Post 50 overs, we felt that was an area we wanted to get better at. We felt Washy could give us that solidarity with Jaddu, given how Travis Head and Alex Carey were getting runs, so having an off-spinner provides us that," Nayar said during the press conference after the end of Day 1's play of the MCG Test.
Gill also missed the opening Test in Perth due to a fractured finger. Upon his return, he managed to score 28 and 31 in the two innings of the pink-ball Test, but failed to convert these starts into big scores. In the rain-affected Gabba Test, Gill was dismissed for just 1 run in the only innings he batted before the majority of the match was washed out, resulting in a draw.
Gill's absence from the Melbourne Test will also see captain Rohit Sharma return to his opening spot which will push Rahul at number three in the batting order.
"Rohit will come up in the order and more likely than not he will open the innings for us. So I think that was the thought process and unfortunately for him [Gill], just how things panned out. He had to miss out and sometimes I just feel for a young player in a position like that, a big day, he wants to make his mark, he understands it is a team's requirement and it is unfortunate. I wouldn't say that he has been dropped per se, it is just unfortunate that he couldn't find his place in his team," Abhishek Nayar added.
Australian batters dominate India on Day 1
Sam Konstas shone with the bat on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with a blistering 52-ball fifty. Having become the youngest opener in Australian Test history, Konstas impressed with a 65-ball 60 before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. Not just him, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne also chipped in with crucial half-centuries for Australia. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 68, while captain Pat Cummins was at the crease with 6 runs as Australia ended the day at 311/6 in 86 overs.