Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar said that he would be really surprised if stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane does not promote himself to number four in the absence of Virat Kohli for the remaining three Tests against Australia.
India and Australia will now take on each other in the Boxing Day Test, beginning December 26 after India lost first Test match by 8 wickets after registering their lowest ever score of 36 in Test history.
Ajit Agarkar: Ajinkya Rahane Should Promote Himself To No. 4 In Virat Kohli’s Absence
Ajit Agarkar also feels that Shubman Gill should replace skipper Virat Kohli in the Indian line-up for the second Test match in Melbourne. Virat Kohli is homebound after 1st Test’s conclusion to attend the birth of 1st child.
“I think Rahane should promote himself to number four in Kohli’s absence. He has the experience and he has scored runs away from India. This is a time when the leader needs to stand up, I will be surprised if Rahane does not promote himself to number four. I think Shubman Gill should play, I have been advocating for that for a while, he has the potential. I know he opens for Punjab in domestic cricket, but if someone like him does well, he can serve Indian cricket for a long time,” Agarkar told ANI.
On the third day of the first Test, India was bundled out for 36 in the second innings and Australia was given a mediocre target of 90 runs which was chased down by Australia to go 1-0 ahead.
Ajit Agarkar: Prithvi Shaw Deserves Another Chance
Prithvi Shaw was given a nod in the first Test as an opener but he failed to leave a mark as he scored just four runs in 2nd innings and bagged a duck in 1st innings. Ajit Agarkar feels middle-order comes under pressure in case the openers get dismissed early but is not in favour of dropping Prithvi Shaw as it is unfair to single out a player in case of a batting disaster. None of the Indian batsmen scored double-digit figures in 2nd innings.
Speaking about Shaw, Agarkar said: “Obviously, if your openers don’t perform, it puts more pressure on your middle order. That is a given, especially in overseas conditions if you can play out the new ball, life becomes easier for the middle-order batters.”
“You also have to remember it has been nine months since India last played a Test match, it is not easy to just turn up and expect things to happen. Even Australia looked rusty but on the third day of the first Test, Australia really bowled well and everything that was bowled well, caught the edge of the bat.”
“Just because someone failed in a practice game, you do not change the line-up if you think that’s your best team on an overseas tour, you go with it. Mayank Agarwal has not done much in the first Test either, when you are bowled out for 36, it is unfair to single out a player. “
Ajit Agarkar stated that Prithvi Shaw should be given yet another Test match as he was chosen in the first Test and it would now be unfair if the team management drops him for the second Test.
“Right now, Shaw is the flavor of the season or the month that everyone is trying to pile up on him, but you have to remember why he was your first choice opening option. To start dismissing people, might be a little harsh, it will not boost his confidence. If you decided to play someone in the first match, then he surely deserves a chance. It will be harsh if there are too many changes after the first Test especially when the team was bowled out for 36,” said Ajit Agarkar.
Pacer Mohammad Shami is also out of the Test series against Australia after fracturing his arm in the first Test.
When asked whether India will struggle to take 20 wickets in a Test in the absence of Shami, Agarkar said: “It is going to be difficult for sure in Shami’s absence. What Shami and Bumrah have done with Ishant in support has been brilliant. It is an opportunity for someone else to make a name, you have to remember these are Australian conditions and as a fast bowler, you do get some assistance.”
“If you trust Jadeja to bat at number six, then you can understand playing five bowlers. Otherwise, I do not see any reason for playing five bowlers especially when you were bundled out for 36, you need that extra cushion.”
The second Test of the four-match series will see an unchanged Australian XI playing against India that may see 5 changes with Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami in contention.