3 reasons why Shubman Gill and KL Rahul should swap positions in India's Test XI

India managed to seal a comfortable seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second Test at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Tuesday, October 1. With the win, the home side secured a 2-0 series scoreline and inched closer to the final of the ongoing World Test Championship.

The win was down to key contributions from most of India's playing XI. In the first innings, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul played important hands and ensured that the efforts of the openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, didn't go in vain.

While Gill notched up an important 39, Rahul stroked his way to a fluent half-century that gave India a sizeable lead. The former failed in the second essay and Rahul didn't need to bat, but both players will remain integral parts of the team.

However, they might need to switch up their roles a bit to ensure that the batting order is fit and firing at its absolute best. On that note, here are three reasons why Shubman Gill and KL Rahul should swap positions in India's Test XI.

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#3 KL Rahul could add some necessary technical solidity at No. 3

India have almost always had a technically sound No. 3 batter. Cheteshwar Pujara fit into the role that Rahul Dravid once occupied, leaving India without any doubts about that position for the better part of two decades. However, since Pujara's ouster, the Men in Blue are yet to arrive at the right replacement.

Gill has done well at times, with important knocks against England and Bangladesh recently. However, his technique has been found wanting often, with new-ball bowlers finding it rather easy to trouble him with the inswinger. The 25-year-old's hard hands and tendency to play around his front pad have brought about his downfall.

Rahul, on the other hand, has no such technical issues. A proven Test opener who has achieved success in challenging conditions overseas, he has what it takes to not lose his wicket easily to quality bowling.

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#2 Shubman Gill is perfectly suited to a role at No. 5

Moreover, Shubman Gill seems perfectly suited to a role at No. 5. Such a position would shield him from the new ball and allow him to freely play his shots against spin.

Gill has rarely batted in the middle order in first-class cricket, but there's reason to believe that could be his best shot at taking his Test average above the 50 mark. Without being troubled by swing and seam, relatively at least, the stylish batter will be able to make the most of easier batting conditions while also using his advanced attacking gears to make run-scoring a priority in that phase.

With more range and a better game against spin as compared to Rahul, Gill could make the No. 5 slot his own. If Rishabh Pant is in the picture at that spot, No. 6 isn't a far-fetched option either.

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#1 KL Rahul doesn't need to wear the gloves anymore

India experimented with many wicket-keeping options during Pant's absence from the game. Wriddhiman Saha, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, and Dhruv Jurel were among those tried and tested, with KL Rahul being the one who impressed the most.

Now, though, with Pant back in the mix, Rahul doesn't need to wear the gloves anymore. His reduced workload on the field could mean he can easily slot into a role in the top order, something that wasn't possible earlier when he was pigeonholed into the middle order as a keeper.

Having a specialist No. 3 batter who isn't burdened by the workload of wearing the gloves could help India immensely. And Pant's return and subsequent good form have now made that possible.