Playing Shubman Gill as a middle-order batter will help India, says former selector Jatin Paranjape

India is all set to host New Zealand for two-match Test series starting from November 25 at Kanpur. Ahead of the start of the highly-anticipated series, there have been certain talks on the probable batting order of India. However, it is been reported that team India’s management is likely to try Shubman Gill in the middle-order.

KL Rahul who displayed his prowess whilst opening the innings for the side in the Test series against England is certain to continue as the opener. Mayank Agarwal is expected to accompany him as the opening partner. With Rohit Sharma rested for this series, the team has an ideal chance to check Gill’s flair as a middle-order batter.

Former national selector Jatin Paranjape has reflected on the same thought. He feels that trying Gill at the middle-order is not a bad idea. He also added that a specialized opener will not make a larger difference in Indian conditions considering the fact that there isn’t much seam and swing on offer after a certain time period.

“I am always a believer that rigidity in team selection doesn’t help. I actually feel that playing Shubman as a middle-order batter will help the team. A certain amount of flexibility always helps.

“I don’t think in India, it’s going to make a lot of difference because overseas it’s more of a specialized role – opener or middle-order. If they use Shubman in the middle-order, I believe it will work as the SG ball will lose its shine pretty quickly. In fact, if you see, KL Rahul had batted in the middle-order and had some success early in his career. Shubman can replicate that,” Paranjape said as quoted by TOI.

Jatin Paranjape on Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion in the side

Iyer has made it to the squad for the red-ball games against New Zealand. However, it is unlikely that he will receive a go in the series. Paranjpe thus reckoned that a few slots will soon be available and that will certainly open up the doors for the Mumbai batter.

“Look sooner or later, Cheteshwar and Ajju (Rahane) won’t be playing. So, two out of three between Vihari, Shubman, and Shreyas will grab those middle-order slots. Even if Shreyas doesn’t get an opportunity in this series, I won’t be very disheartened as his time will certainly come,” Paranjape added.