Vikram Rathour expresses admiration for Jaiswal’s remarkable ability to adapt to the challenges of Test cricket.

Vikram Rathour, the batting coach of the Indian cricket team, holds an optimistic view regarding the promising talents of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, acknowledging their potential for sustained success across all three formats of the game.

While Shubman Gill, aged 23, has already accumulated two centuries in his career, his batting average hovers just below 32. However, Rathour emphasizes that Gill embodies the qualities of a great player as he combines potential, hard work, and temperament. Rathour firmly believes that Gill will be the driving force of Indian batting in the future.

“His potential is immense, and he has already showcased his abilities in other formats as well as in Test cricket. It might take some time for him to fully establish himself in a specific format, but he has the necessary time. Given his remarkable potential, I have no doubt that he will play a significant role in the Indian team’s batting department across all three formats for a considerable duration,” Rathour expressed with confidence.

Shubman Gill, despite taking some time to establish himself, is displaying a commendable work ethic and a dedicated approach towards improving his game. One of his notable attributes is his temperament, which sets him apart as a player with immense potential. Without a doubt, he possesses the qualities necessary to excel in all three formats of the game for an extended period.

Ahead of the first Test against the West Indies, a match that India triumphed in just three days, Gill engaged in discussions with the team management. He expressed his desire to occupy the No.3 position, a position previously dominated by the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahul Dravid. While Pujara and Dravid were renowned for their ability to wear down bowlers with their resolute batting, Rathour highlighted that Gill possesses the unique ability to seamlessly switch between defense and attack, adapting to the team’s requirements.

The team had three openers, so the decision was made to assign one of them to the No.3 position. Interestingly, it was Shubman Gill himself who expressed his preference for batting at No.3. He based his reasoning on his prior experience in first-class cricket and for the Indian team, where he had predominantly batted at positions three or four. This decision was met with unanimous approval from the team. Subsequently, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma concluded that it would be best for Gill to occupy the No.3 spot.

“It would be unfair to judge him based on one innings. He has ample time, and we firmly believe he will excel in this role. He possesses the skills required to thrive in that position. Gill has the ability to adapt his approach, taking his time when needed and also unleashing his stroke play to drive the game forward. Having such a talented batsman at No.3 provides us with a significant advantage.”

Rathour expressed his admiration for Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable performance in his debut Test match. Scoring a gritty 171 runs, Jaiswal made an impressive transition to Test cricket, following his outstanding performances in the IPL, where his stroke play and high strike rate garnered considerable attention.

Drawing on my experience as a selector, it is essential to select players with a long-term vision for the next decade representing the Indian team. Yashasvi Jaiswal undoubtedly possesses the potential to fulfill this criterion. While I had not worked with him before, what stood out for me was his impressive performance in the IPL, showcasing his dynamic and attacking batting style. However, what truly impressed me was his ability to adapt his game according to the team’s requirements.

During the innings, Jaiswal faced a challenging phase on the second day, where he meticulously scored around 20 runs off 90 balls before the Lunch break. This particular aspect stood out to me as the highlight of his innings. It demonstrated his versatility and ability to play against his natural instincts, patiently navigating through a difficult phase before ultimately going on to score significant runs. It was a phenomenal display of skill and determination. Without a doubt, Jaiswal possesses immense potential and a promising future in all three formats of the game with the Indian team, and there is no doubt in my mind about that, Rathour confidently asserted.