Melbourne, Jan 2 (Reporter) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri on Thursday strongly criticised the decision to omit Shubman Gill from the playing XI for the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Shastri highlighted Gill’s impressive 2024 form, having scored 866 runs at an average of 43.3, including three centuries against England and Bangladesh. "There’s Shubman Gill, a player of his quality averaging over 40 in the year 2024 and not playing, which is a shame," Shastri said. "How can he be out of the XI is my question." Despite these strong statistics, Gill has struggled overseas, with an average of just 23.8 since his 91 in the famous Brisbane Test of 2021, and has scored only one century, in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, Shastri argued that Gill’s performance in Indian conditions should have been enough to secure a place in the team, especially given the struggles of India’s top order. India trail Australia 2-1 in the ongoing Test series following a dramatic 184-run loss in the fourth Test. India’s collapse in the final session saw them lose seven wickets for just 34 runs after posting a competitive first-innings total of 369, in response to Australia’s 474. Despite the solid first-innings total, India’s top-order woes continue, with key players failing to convert starts into substantial scores. Shastri made the case that a player averaging around 43-44 in 2024 should unquestionably be in India’s best XI, especially in light of the team’s batting inconsistency. He questioned the logic behind leaving out a player in such good form while the team grapples with batting issues. In the Melbourne Test, India opted for a middle-order-heavy side, choosing allrounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy over Gill. However, the duo combined for only 27 overs with the ball, while Jasprit Bumrah bowled 28.4 overs in the first innings. Shastri expressed concern over the team’s balance, asserting that if an extra bowler is included, they must be used effectively. He also voiced frustration over the selection process, noting that leaving out a quality batsman like Gill in favour of players who did not contribute significantly with the ball seemed counterproductive. The former coach called for greater scrutiny of team selection, particularly the decision to omit a player of Gill’s potential and current form. He urged the team management to reconsider their approach and ensure that players in top form are given the opportunity to contribute. With the series hanging in the balance, India will aim to bounce back in the final Test, set to begin on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. As the team strives to level the series, questions about team selection and balance are expected to remain central to the conversation...////...