England vs India 2018: Nice Opportunity to Blood Prithvi Shaw – Sunil Gavaskar
Sep 7, 2018 at 1:09 PM
Former legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar believes it is a good opportunity to blood Prithvi Shaw in the fifth Test against England. The Indian openers have underfired thus far in the series except for the Trent Bridge Test.
Therefore, it makes sense to give a chance to the 18-year old prodigy. Shaw is also familiar with the English conditions as he had a good recent India A tour of England.
Shaw is in contention to earn his maiden Test cap.
Consequently, India can give a maiden Test cap to Prithvi Shaw.
Sunil Gavaskar believes India can get an extra batsman in Karun Nair. Meanwhile, India is expected to play Ravindra Jadeja in place of Ravichandran Ashwin who is not 100% fit.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to blood Prithvi Shaw. I would look at him and Karun Nair if you want to go with an extra batsman. If you want to keep the same balance, then Ravindra Jadeja might get a look because I don’t know if Ravichandran Ashwin is fit to bowl,” Gavaskar told India Today.
The Little Master said the Kennington Oval pitch, where the bounce is true, should suit the Indian team. However, India’s record at the Oval isn’t impressive as they have lost four matches and won a solitary game.
“I think it’s one of the pitches that should suit India, ball comes on nicely to the bat and there’s a bit of pace in the wicket and less of lateral movement. In fact, I don’t really know how the wicket is like yet. I will go later and have a look at the pitch and the conditions.
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“Playing the final Test after losing a series is not a good mental state to be in and perhaps this is why we have such a record at this ground where we have folded within three or four days,” Gavaskar said.
With the series done and dusted, Indian team management will definitely contemplate making some changes. The fifth and final Test match will begin from 7 September and India will look to make it 3-2.