As the Team India have levelled the four-match test series by 1-1 and Rohit Sharma's return to the side, the visitors are likely to have some changes in the selection process ahead of the third Test against Australia. Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has opened up about the playing XI India should opt for the third Test in Sydney, which is starting from January 7.
The former India captain further added that Rohit Sharma should open the innings along with Mayank Agarwal.
"I would be keeping Mayank Agarwal. I know he’s not looked good but he’s a quality player. I would keep him in the side and open the batting with Rohit," Gavaskar said to Sanjay Manjrekar when the latter asked him about Team India's team selection for the third Test in the Extra innings show on Sony Sports Network.
Notably, Rohit Sharma has joined the team in Melbourne on Wednesday after finishing his mandatory quarantine period. Gavaskar, however, said that Shubman Gill, who has impressed everyone with his knocks of 45 and 35* on Test debut, should bat at No.5 in the next Test against Australia.
"Despite the fact that Shubman Gill has looked so good at the top, I’d look to bat him at No.5," Gavaskar added.
However, the former captain has also explained the reason why he said that and also added that Gill's batting approach is more suitable for the middle order.
"I'm not too sure, that with his approach he would be too successful at the opening position also at the U19 level he was batting down the order so I think for Shubman Gill no.5 would be the ideal position," he further added. "The rest of the team should remain same and obviously if Gill bats at five, Vihari goes out automatically."
