Rahul Dravid backs ‘terrific player’ Shubman Gill to shine in Border-Gavaskar series against Australia

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has put his weight behind Shubman Gill to excel in the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia. Gill has been ruled out of the opening Test match at Perth after he injured his thumb while catching a ball in practice.

Gill recently scored 144 runs in two Test matches at an average of 36 against New Zealand. Meanwhile, Dravid recalled how Gill played a match-winning knock of 91 runs in the historic Gabba Test match on the 2020-21 tour to Australia to set up the game on the fifth day’s morning.

Gill has scored 1800 runs in 29 Test matches at an average of 36.73. Dravid, who also coached Gill in the Under-19 World Cup, said the youngster bats differently than Cheteshwar Pujara and him.

In an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, Rahul Dravid said, “Well, they’ve got Shubman Gill, who is a terrific player. He’s had some great success in Australia the last time. Everyone talks about Rishabh’s 80 [89] and rightly so, but I think Shubman got 91 to set the game up on that fifth morning. So no, he’s a fine, fine player, he’s a great kid, and he’s learning. Bats differently, slightly, to me and Pujara, but still a very, very good player.”

Dravid reckons the top order will need to fire at all cylinders in the Border-Gavaskar series. India’s batting was not up to the mark against New Zealand and the former Indian captain believes it will be imperative for the visitors that one of their top four has a great series.

“Runs on the top will be important. Now whether it comes from one, two or three or four, it doesn’t really matter. You’re going to need one of that top four or two of the top four to have a great series. That really helps in Australia. With the Kookaburra ball and those conditions, if you can get through that initial period and have your top four soak in a lot of that period, it really allows your lower order to be able to control and dominate those games,” Dravid said in the same interview.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.