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Young gun Shubman Gill is in serious contention to replace India vice-captain KL Rahul at the top of the order for the third Test against Australia in Indore.
India are on the verge of replacing KL Rahul with young gun Shubman Gill for the third Test against Australia after formally stripping the opener of the vice-captaincy.
The hosts have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar series, but their top-order has come under mounting pressure.
Apart from captain Rohit Sharma starting the series in outstanding form, India's other stars, including Virat Kohli and Rahul, have failed to fire.
Gill is viewed by Indian fans as one of the next great batters, starring in white-ball cricket and making an impressive Test debut in Australia during the 2020-21 series.
The 23-year-old batted in the nets by Sharma's side during Tuesday's training session at Holkar Stadium in Indore ahead of the third Test, starting on Wednesday.
Sharma failed to confirm Rahul's position in the XI but did announce he was no longer vice-captain.
When India listed their squads for the third and fourth Tests last week, Rahul wasn't listed as vice-captain, but the BCCI did not immediately specify if that was intentional or a mistake.
"Being vice-captain or not being vice-captain doesn't actually tell you anything," Sharma said on Tuesday.
"His removal of vice-captain doesn't indicate anything.
"All 17-18 (players) are in reckoning, it's not just about Gill or Rahul or someone else but all the players who are there are all in the reckoning.
"As far as our XI is concerned we've not yet finalised on it.
"I would like to do it at the toss and I prefer it to be announced at that point in time because last-minute injuries and all those things happen so we will keep it a little interesting for you guys (the media) as well.
After India's second-Test triumph in Delhi, Sharma was resolute in his support of Rahul.
He used similar lines when talking about Rahul on Tuesday.
"I said it after the last game as well that when we talk about players going through a tough time, anyone with potential will be given enough time to prove themselves," Sharma said.
India are spoilt for talent with wicketkeeper KS Bharat seamlessly replacing Rishabh Pant after the superstar suffered serious injuries in a car crash in December.
"As a player, you always expect the opportunity to come to you and for me I have always prepared myself for any opportunity," Bharat said on Monday.
"You want to play for the country, it is the biggest dream. When the opportunity comes, I will take it."
