IND vs ENG LIVE: India vs England 5th Test LIVE: Former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar believes either Cheteshwar Pujara or Hanuma Vihari should open with Shubman Gill in the 5th Test. With captain and opener Rohit Sharma doubtful for the Test against England, India have limited options. Even though Mayank Agarwal has been sent as a backup, Agarkar believes he will not be ready. Follow India Tour of England Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“If not Rohit, the experience might help in Pujara and Vihari. Pujara has been around for a long time and Vihari has already opened for India a couple of times. One of those two would be my pick if Mayank does not look ready,” Ajit Agarkar said in a virtual interaction on Tuesday.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Ajit Agarkar wants Pujara or Vihari to open with Shubman Gill in 5th Test in Rohit’s absence, says ‘Mayank won’t be ready’
It would be a tough choice for the management with Rohit a big doubt for the Test. Pujara comes into the match with some runs under his belt in county cricket while Vihari has opened the innings for India when required in the past. More importantly, both the players have the technique and experience to deliver against the moving ball as well.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Ajit Agarkar wants Pujara or Vihari to open with Shubman Gill in 5th Test in Rohit’s absence, says ‘Mayank won’t be ready’
India Playing XI vs England: Who will open with Shubman Gill?
- Rohit Sharma has to produce two negative RT-PCR test results by June 29 to be able to travel to Birmingham.
- But if he doesn’t manage to clear it, India will not only need to find a captain but also an opener.
- Mayank Agarwal has been called up as a backup opener but considering he will have just three days of practice, he is unlikely.
- Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara are two other options. But considering India’s middle-order woes, Pujara is likely to remain at No 3.
- As for the opening option, it is between Vihari and KS Bharat.
- Rahul Dravid did try out KS Bharat as an opener in the warm-up and he was largely successful.
- But Bharat has never opened in first-class games and sending him to face James Anderson and Stuart Broad could be detrimental.
- For now, Shubman is likely to open with Hanuma Vihari if Rohit is ruled out.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Ajit Agarkar wants Pujara or Vihari to open with Shubman Gill in 5th Test in Rohit’s absence, says ‘Mayank won’t be ready’
Mayank does not have much time to prepare: Mayank might have been an automatic choice, but Agarkar believes that the natural opener might not have much time to prepare for the important game. With Mayank not having a good 2022, having scored 130 runs in seven innings, the management could zoom in on Test specialists, Pujara and Vihari.
“The team management will probably have a look at how well prepared is Mayank Agarwal is once he joins the team. I do not know if he has enough time to prepare for the one off Test,” Agarkar said in a virtual interaction.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Ajit Agarkar wants Pujara or Vihari to open with Shubman Gill in 5th Test in Rohit’s absence, says ‘Mayank won’t be ready’
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