‘Must be one of the toughest pills to swallow’ - Ravi Shastri reflects on Shubman Gill’s exclusion from fourh BGT Test squad

The Indian team is gearing up for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). Both sides will lock horns at the Sydney Cricket Ground, from January 3. It is worth noting that the series so far has been one to forget about for the Indian team.

After a win in Perth, India lost the clash in Adelaide, drew the one in Brisbane, and was subjected to another loss in Melbourne. With Australia leading the series, India will hope for a win in Sydney in order to retain the trophy. Ahead of the fifth Test, India announced their playing XI and coming as a surprise to many, star batter Shubman Gill was excluded. The decision raised several eyebrows and former India cricketer Ravi Shastri gave his take on the matter as well. 

"There’s Shubman Gill, a player of his quality averaging over 40 in the year 2024 and not playing, which is a shame. When you average over 40 in the year 2024, not many players have averaged over 40 – I think he's averaging 43 or 44 – for him to be sitting and cooling his heels must be one of the toughest pills to swallow," Shastri told the ICC review.

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"It tricks your brain as to what he’s doing sitting on the bench and warming it. How can he be out of the XI is my question. Now how he comes into the XI, that's the call of the team. I'm trying to think, if I had to make him sit out or make a player who is averaging 40 sit out, what will I tell him?" he added. 

Gill's poor form led to his exclusion from Melbourne Test

It is worth noting that Shubman Gill was excluded after he scored 60 runs in three innings across the two Test matches that he played in the series. However, despite his shaky form, Gill has been a good performer for team India and according to Shastri, he should have been included in the side for the Melbourne clash.