India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar addressed the elephant in the room after Shubman Gill was dropped from the Playing XI.

India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar affirmed that Shubman Gill's string of low scores was not the primary concern for his snub ahead of what was expected to be his 100th international appearance on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

Team India went in with a risky combination of five batters, three all-rounders and three proper pacers for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar spoke about all the changes India made for the crucial encounter.

India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar on Thursday defended axing Shubman Gill from the Boxing Day Test, saying it was in team's best interest to not only have Rohit Sharma back to his usual opening slot but also add some sting to the attack by drafting in spin all-rounder Washington Sundar.

Star batter Shubman Gill was dropped from the Indian squad for the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss Thursday and decided to bat first against India in expected hot conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the fourth test of the five-match series. Australia made two changes to the side which dominated the drawn test in Brisbane.

Shubman Gill missed his spot in India's playing XI in the fourth Test match as Rohit Sharma & Co. featured with two spinners in the Boxing Day Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.