Will KL Rahul play the 3rd Test? Ravi Shastri gives brutal verdict ahead of game against Australia

Team India is all set to face Australia in the 3rd Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, however, one question that remains on everyone's mind is whether batter KL Rahul will be playing the game or not.

Talking on this subject, former India coach Ravi Shastri said he is against the idea of picking a vice-captain in a home series and also hinted that Shubman Gill should replace KL Rahul in the remaining two Tests.

Rahul's prolonged lean patch has generated a lot of discussion about the India vice-captain. His last seven innings have produced scores of 22, 23, 10, 2, 20, 17, and 1. 

"The team management knows his (Rahul's) form, they know his mental state. They know how they should be watching someone like Gill," Shastri said on the ICC Review podcast.

"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 added.

"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.

"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 team management's decision," said Shastri.

Talking about the dearth of talent in India, Shastri said a player needs to be consistent to keep his place in the team. 

"They will have to see the form, his state of mind. He's a tremendous player, but talent is only so much. You have to convert that into results and be consistent.

"There's so much talent in India who is knocking on the door. It's not just Rahul, there are many in the middle-order and bowling lineup as well, there are a lot of depts.” Shastri said a break can do a world of good for a player who is struggling with form.

"Sometimes a break for the player in those conditions is far better because he can go away work on his game and come back stronger.

"In my tenure, Pujara was dropped- came back with hundreds, KL Rahul was dropped, came back strongly. You can't carry T20 form into Test cricket."