Brad Hogg, former Australia spinner believes Mayank Agarwal is a potential option for India in the second Test against England. He feels India will have to pick up momentum heading into the Lord’s Test after having lost out on the chance to go 1-0 up in the series. The first Test at Trent Bridge was washed out on Day 5, which means that the prospect of taking the lead in the series is still wide open.
Brad Hogg feels that India will stick to the same playing eleven from the first Test. India fielded a team of four-seam bowlers and a spin all-rounder. They also had KL Rahul open the innings in place of Mayank Agarwal, who was ruled out of the contest after getting struck in the head in the nets.
Brad Hogg: The Only Change India Will Think Will Be Bringing Mayank Agarwal To Open And Push KL Rahul At No. 3
However, with Mayank Agarwal cleared for selection, Brad Hogg notes that the only change India might consider making is in their top order. The former left-arm chinaman bowler thinks India could bring Mayank Agarwal back into the opening slot and push KL Rahul down to the No.3 spot. He also noted Cheteshwar Pujara’s poor form with the bat as of late.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Brad Hogg said: “India will be disappointed that they are not 1-0 up in the series because of the English rain. I don’t think India will change their playing eleven.
“The only change that they will think about making will be bringing Mayank Agarwal to open the batting and may push Rahul to No.3 because Pujara has been out of sorts. Over the last 10 innings that he has played, he has not scored over 40.”
“But I don’t think they will do that (drop Pujara for Agarwal), I think they will keep the same eleven and try to keep that positive momentum that they had gained in the first Test match.”
Mayank Agarwal was seen practicing in the nets as the visitors reached London for the second Test match slated to start tomorrow. KL Rahul played a solid 84-run knock that helped Team India take a first-innings lead against England in the drawn first Test.
KL Rahul’s 84-run knock came off 214 deliveries and was studded with 12 hits to the fence. Playing his first Test in nearly two years, KL Rahul scored a tenacious 84 off 214 balls, spending nearly 350 minutes out in the middle of the crease. Thanks to his performance, India managed to get a crucial 95-run lead over England in the first innings.
KL Rahul, who last played a Test at Nottingham in August of 2019, was drafted into the Playing XI after opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was ruled out due to a concussion.
Shardul Thakur’s Injury May Pave The Way For The Likes Of Ishant Sharma And Ravichandran Ashwin In The 2nd Test
But the team was presented with a fresh injury case as pacer Shardul Thakur is rumoured to have suffered a niggle. This could force the side to abandon their four-pacer approach. Shardul Thakur is reportedly struggling with his hamstring and his absence could see the return of Ravichandran Ashwin back into the playing eleven.
Ishant Sharma also could enter the playing XI as Virat Kohli has confirmed that they will continue to play 4 seamers throughout the series. Shardul Thakur took 4 scalps in the 1st Test.