[In Pictures] Dropped from playing 11, India batter hits the nets on Day 2 of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Team India made one change to their playing XI for the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. Top-order batter Shubman Gill made way for spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar for the Melbourne showdown. Gill hit the nets during the ongoing fourth match.

After being dropped from the lineup, the 25-year-old batter seems to be eager to redeem himself. He was seen working hard on his batting in the nets on Day 2 (Friday, December 27) of the Boxing Day Test.

Sports journalist Sahil Malhotra posted a picture of Gill batting in the nets and mentioned that he practiced against pacer Harshit Rana, off-spinner Tanush Kotian, and side-arm bowling.

"Not surprised to see Shubman Gill in the nets during the Lunch interval. He is facing Harshit Rana, Tanush Kotian and lot of side-arm. He should have been in the Playing XI at MCG," Malhotra wrote on X.

Shubman Gill was also seen training in the gym after not finding a place in India's playing XI in Melbourne. The batter missed out on the Test series opener as well due to a finger injury.

Gill failed to make a significant impact with the bat in the two Tests that he played on this Australia tour. He mustered just 60 runs across three innings at an average of 20.

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"Strange selection of the playing XI" - Sanjay Manjrekar unimpressed by India's decision to drop Shubman Gill for Boxing Day Test

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his displeasure over the Rohit Sharma-led think tank's decision to drop Shubman Gill for the Boxing Day Test of BGT 2024-25.

Manjrekar opined that bringing in Washington Sundar in place of Gill on the MCG pitch wasn't a logical move. The cricketer-turned-commentator wrote on the microblogging platform X:

"Strange selection of the playing XI. On a non-turning pitch, the change made neither strengthens the bowling much nor the batting. Gill dropped, is harsh!"

Australia won the toss and chose to bat in Melbourne. Steve Smith shone with the bat for the hosts, notching up his 34th Test ton. He was their top performer with the bat, scoring 140 runs. The side were ultimately bowled out for 474. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers with a four-wicket haul.