BGT: Rohit Shows Support for Young Stars Pant, Gill, Jaiswal Ahead of Crucial Tests
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Melbourne, Dec 24 (NationPress) India captain Rohit Sharma is rallying behind his young batsmen - Rishabh Pant, Shubamn Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal - to deliver strong performances in the concluding two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
As the fourth Test approaches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground starting Thursday, Rohit defended the young trio, urging them to move past their early challenges in the series and make significant contributions as the five-match series stands tied at 1-1.
Except for opener Jaiswal, wicketkeeper-batter Pant and right-handed Gill have yet to register a half-century in the ongoing series. Jaiswal displayed a solid performance with a score of 161 in the second innings of the first Test in Perth, which India won by 295 runs. However, he could only add 32 runs in the next four innings.
In contrast, Pant has managed only 96 runs across three Tests, while Gill, who was sidelined in the first Test due to a thumb injury, has accumulated just 60 runs in four innings.
With the World Test Championship final on the horizon, Rohit expressed optimism in the youngsters' potential to rebound in Melbourne and Sydney.
"As I mentioned, all these young players - Rishabh, Gill, Jaiswal - are in a similar situation. We don’t want to complicate their approach. They understand their responsibilities," Rohit stated on Tuesday.
"Our role is to guide them on minor aspects like match awareness. I believe we don't need to overcomplicate things. Rishabh Pant knows his tasks well and has high expectations for himself. He’s putting in the effort, and I'm hopeful he will shine in the last two matches," he added.
Regarding the left-handed opener partnering with KL Rahul, Rohit emphasized that the 22-year-old Jaiswal, who is experiencing his first tour in Australia, is well aware of his capabilities, and allowing him to play freely is crucial.
"This is Jaiswal's first tour here. He has already demonstrated his talent. When you have a player like him, you shouldn't restrict his mindset. We aim to keep him unburdened with thoughts about his batting. He knows his game better than anyone else. That’s how he has accumulated his runs," Rohit explained.
"We want to ensure he plays his game naturally. He possesses the capability to adapt to different styles, whether it’s a cautious or aggressive approach. It's about refining certain aspects of his game. I'm confident he is doing that alongside the others, and experienced players share their insights. We don't want to overwhelm him with advice. If he finds his rhythm, he can be extremely formidable," Rohit remarked.
"As for Gill, he is undoubtedly talented. It's essential to support that talent and ensure we communicate clearly with him. Like Jaiswal, we should avoid overcomplicating matters. He comprehends his game well and knows how to score significant runs," the Indian captain commented on Gill.
"It's crucial to convert scores of 30s and 40s into substantial contributions. Getting established is the most challenging aspect here, so when you do, it’s vital to score big," he concluded.
