'Bang that door down and get into the side'- Ravi Shastri hints at KL Rahul's replacement for remaining Tests against Australia

KL Rahul and Ravi Shastri (Image credits: Twitter)

After reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with ease by dominating the first two tests, India would also like to win the third Test and ensure their participation in the Test Championship final, which will take place in June.

Ravi Shastri, the coach of India, is opposed to the idea of selecting a vice-captain for a home series because he believes it makes it more difficult to choose the best XI when the deputy team leader is out of form. Shastri also said that in the final two Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Shubman Gill could take KL Rahul's spot. 

Regarding Rahul's protracted dry spell, there has been a lot of discussion. In his last seven innings, KL Rahul has recorded scores of 22, 23, 10, 2, 20, 17 and 1. Despite his outstanding performance across forms, Rahul is under more pressure because Gill is waiting in the wings.

What did Ravi Shastri talk about on the ICC review?

Former Indian Team coach Ravi Shastri spoke on the ICC review about the idea of not having a vice-captain for a home series.

"I always had the belief (to) never appoint a vice-captain for India. I would rather go with my best XI, and if the captain has to leave the field, you'd zero in on a player that can take over at the time, simply because you don't need to create complications."

He later discussed the idea of not picking the vice captain if he doesn't perform. He said,

"If the vice-captain doesn't perform, someone can take his place; at least the tag is not there. I'm being blunt and brutal, I never like vice-captain in home conditions. Overseas, it's different."

Ravi Shastri then spoke about how the Indian team need an in-form Gill in the squad. He said,

"Here, you want prime form, you want someone like Gill, who's red hot. He will challenge. He has to bang that door down and get into the side. Now, he's not the vice-captain, it has to be the team management's decision."