In the fourth Test match against Australia at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, Indian team management made the audacious choice to bench Shubman Gill. The 25-year-old’s form was becoming increasingly problematic, so the management chose to bench him and use Washington Sundar as an extra spinner. It is noteworthy because he had an injury during the first Test in Perth and returned to action in the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide, scoring 31 and 28 runs, respectively. The only one he made at Gabba.
During the opening session of Day 1, Shubman Gill was seen striking the stadium gym after being dismissed from the fourth Test at MCG.
He spent some time with T Dilip, the fielding coach for India. In 12 Test matches in 2024, the Punjab-born cricketer amassed 866 runs at an average of 43.30, surpassing both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s totals.
Watch the videos below:
Shubman Gill sweating it out hard at the MCG nets during the first session on Day 1 of the 4th Test.#BorderGavaskarTrophy #MelbourneCricketGround #Australia #India@KoustavOfficial pic.twitter.com/VaMeoQ1C3K
— Saatvik Oberoi (@OberoiSaatvik) December 26, 2024
However, Dhruv Jurel, who did not play in Gill’s debut Test, was observed striking the nets. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, also improved his batting technique by striking the nets.
Watch the video of Jurel and Cummins hitting the nets
Dhruv Jurel and Pat Cummins toil hard in the outdoor nets at the MCG on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test.#BorderGavaskarTrophy #MelbourneCricketGround #Australia #India@KoustavOfficial pic.twitter.com/2SMosV4LmS
— Saatvik Oberoi (@OberoiSaatvik) December 26, 2024
In the fourth Test, the hosts got off to a great start. With an aggressive style of play and a spectacular half-century in the middle, 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas got off to a fantastic start. Early in his innings, he faced Jasprit Bumrah after Nathan McSweeney was dropped from the starting lineup. He finally hammered the Indian bowler for 32 runs in two overs. He smacked him all throughout the park, including ramps and reverse scoops.
Usman Khawaja also scored a half-century, but his aggressive batting helped him calm down. Prior to the Boxing Day Test, there were questions about his form; but, the knock will calm him down and allow him to aim for a strong series finale. He’ll be hoping to build on his early success and produce a significant century to give Australia a greater hold on the match.
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