Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Gill says India will use flexible No. 5 and No. 6 batting roles
India captain Shubman Gill outlined a flexible middle-order plan before the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.
He said India's top four batting positions are settled, with the team open to changing who bats at No.
5 and No.
6.
Axar Patel and KL Rahul may fill those spots depending on the match situation, with Axar an option when India needs a left-handed batter.
The opening match is scheduled for Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland.
Gill also said his neck is causing no discomfort and that he had completed batting and fielding without trouble.
The series will continue with matches in Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui, ending on November 15.
India will use a flexible approach to its No. 5 and No. 6 batting positions in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Captain Shubman Gill said Axar Patel and KL Rahul could fill those roles depending on the match situation.
Gill said the top four positions are settled and all four batters are right-handed.
He also said he had no discomfort from his previous neck issue and had completed batting and fielding without trouble.
The series is due to begin in Auckland on November 4.
- Who
- India, led by captain Shubman Gill, with Axar Patel and KL Rahul among the players expected to fill the middle-order roles.
- What
- India will use flexible batting roles at No. 5 and No. 6 in its ODI series against New Zealand.
- When
- Ahead of the opening ODI on November 4.
- Where
- The series begins at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Why
- The positions will depend on the match situation, including whether a left-handed batter is needed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gill suffered a cervical disc bulge and neck spasm that affected his nerves and kept him out of international cricket for nearly a month.
Gill outlined India’s flexible plans for the No. 5 and No. 6 positions and said he had no discomfort.
India is scheduled to begin its five-match ODI series against New Zealand in Auckland.
- Series length
- Five ODIs
- Middle-order positions
- No. 5 and No. 6
- Possible batters
- Axar Patel and KL Rahul
- Top four
- Set; all right-handers
- Opening match
- November 4, Eden Park, Auckland
1 source
What people are saying
We will have floating approach for no.5 and no.6. Our top four is set, all right-handers. So if lefty is needed, Axar bhai goes and depending on match situation even KL bhai can go. So bit flexible
No issue… I batter for close to one and a half hours and did my fielding without any trouble too. No issue at all