IND vs AUS 2023: We never tell them not to play positively – Rahul Dravid on Shubman Gill’s batting approach

India’s head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed that the team management never tells players not to play positively. Shubman Gill is known for his aggressive approach and he had hit Nathan Lyon for a six at the fag end of the second day’s play despite getting bowled after he had attempted the same shot in the second innings at Indore.

Gill was able to grab his opportunity at the top of the order as he scored 128 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This was Gill’s second Test century as he continued his purple patch at the International level.

However, Dravid feels it is also important to play according to the match situation and the team’s demands.

Rahul Dravid said on Star Sports, “People like Shubman have been playing T20 and one-day cricket since their childhood. They practice a lot – stepping out and hitting a six and to play positively.”

The Indian head coach added: “Obviously, the young players will play positively and we never tell them not to play positively or to play in just one way but sometimes you need to understand the situation.”

Dravid added that Gill has the hunger in him to keep learning and he is hopeful that the youngster will keep getting better with more experience.

“When players like Shubman Gill spend time with the likes of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli and watch their innings, the good thing I have seen in Shubman (Gill), I have been coaching him for the last one year, is that he wants to learn. He keeps talking, whether it is with me or Vikram (Rathour) or the seniors.”

“I was seeing that he was extremely hurt after playing that shot in Indore. He stepped out in the second innings to try and hit Nathan Lyon. He practiced very well for two days, didn’t play a single shot in the air, but when he saw an opportunity he used it fully.”

Shubman Gill will now be seen in action in three-match ODI series against Australia, starting March 17 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai