Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim feels Shubman Gill is the ideal candidate to come at number three in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Gill was not expected to get a place in the first T20I against the visitors but he will replace Virat Kohli, who is set to miss the opening game due to personal reasons.

Gill could only score eight runs in the two T20Is against South Africa and he will be looking to turn the tables against Ibrahim Zadran-led team. Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, who turned 51 today on Thursday, revealed that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings for the Indian team in the T20I series.

Saba Karim said on Sports18, “At No. 3, you have to come to bat in the powerplay at times and sometimes after the powerplay, but your aim, in the end, should be to play big shots and accelerate as soon as you go in. I feel Shubman is capable of batting at No. 3.”

The former India wicketkeeper-batter added: “In today’s era, I feel Rahul Dravid’s thinking will also be to develop young players who are multi-dimensional and multi-faceted, and have the flexibility to bat at any number. So I feel Shubman is the ideal candidate to come in at No. 3 although he knows that he will get a limited number of chances.”

On the other hand, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha added that Gill would not have got his opportunity if Virat Kohli had been available for selection.

He said, “When you are playing for India, the most important thing is for you to get a chance. If Virat had played here, Shubman Gill might not have played because we know that Yashasvi is getting an opportunity.”

“I feel there isn’t too much difference between an opener and No. 3. The fearless way in which he plays, the strike rate we always talk about, he has taken that route. I feel it’s a God-given chance because this is the only T20 series before the World Cup.”

The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played at Mohali on Thursday.