Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has advised Shubman Gill to be more proactive in the field and look for wickets while defending a total.Gill’s captaincy came under scrutiny after India’s five-wicket loss in Headingley, where England chased down 371 on the final day.“As a captain, it’s important to be proactive on the field,” Ajinkya Rahane said on his YouTube channel.“When you’re captaining the team on day five and defending a total, it is important to look for wickets first. That should be the first option.
“I think apart from that, being proactive means, you know, if you can read the situation, keep an in-and-out field, give your bowler options so that if he bowls a bad ball or a good ball, he knows there’s a fielder who can save the boundary for you, so you can build the pressure.“It’s important to actually take it deep and, you know, let the batsmen go for a big shot or try to create pressure by bowling good balls and not giving boundaries.“So as a captain, it’s important to be proactive first, obviously looking for wickets. But apart from that, keep an in-and-out field and play with the batsman’s mindset and his patience,” he said.Rahane has also asked Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj to step up in case Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t play in the Edgbaston Test.“I would like to expect more from two bowlers in this Test match for the Indian team—Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja,” said Rahane.“If Bumrah doesn’t play, Siraj will have to take that responsibility. And I know Siraj can do well; he has that ability to get wickets and bowl a match-winning spell, and also Ravindra Jadeja. If it’s day four or day five, if it’s sunny and the wicket is dry, then there will be rough patches. I’m sure Jaddu will do well. These two guys, I’m really looking forward to,” he said.
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Rahane also batted for the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI if Bumrah is not available.“From my point of view, I think if Bumrah doesn’t play this Test match, I would like to see Arshdeep Singh in the XI. If the wicket has really good bounce, then continue with Prasidh Krishna. But if the wicket looks dry and the weather is hot, then in place of Prasidh Krishna, my choice will be Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as our two spinners.“If Bumrah doesn’t play, then Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur. I would like to see Shardul Thakur playing this Test match because he is your guy who can get you those wickets. So these three guys and two spinners. If the wicket has good bounce and it looks like there is movement, then backing Prasidh Krishna will be the right option on the same wicket.”
