Irani Cup 2023: Mayank Agarwal, Abhimanyu Easwaran and a fit-again Priyank Panchal are the three candidates in contention to lead Rest of India in the Irani Cup match against 2021-22 champions Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to be played in Gwalior from March 1-5. The match was earlier slated in Indore. Follow Irani Cup 2023 Updates with InsideSport.IN.
While Easwaran was the captain of India A during its last tour of Bangladesh, Mayank has scored close to 1,000 runs and will be the senior-most player, having played 21 Tests.
Irani Cup 2023: In-form Mayank Agarwal competes with Abhimanyu Easwaran for Rest of India captaincy, Selectors yet to decide on KL Rahul’s Irani inclusion, Follow LIVE Updates
Will selectors send KL Rahul to play Irani to regain form?
KL Rahul, the man in the eye of the storm, is hanging by a thread to his spot in the Indian Test squad, having already lost his vice-captaincy.
While the Indian team management, including head coach Rahul Dravid, is still bullish about the Bengaluru cricketer’s talent and temperament, a lot of people feel that Rahul could get some confidence back if he goes and plays the Irani Cup game against MP in Gwalior.
“Rahul’s confidence must have been shaken by this constant criticism. It won’t be a bad idea to allow him to play the last domestic game of the season — the Irani Cup — against MP where he can face a bowler of Avesh Khan’s quality.
“If he (Rahul) gets some runs, it will boost his confidence and he can join the squad for the final Test in Ahmedabad post the Irani Trophy. That would have been ideal but don’t think Dravid will fancy that idea,” a former national selector, who is privy to Dravid’s coaching model, said.
Irani Cup 2023: In-form Mayank Agarwal competes with Abhimanyu Easwaran for Rest of India captaincy, Selectors yet to decide on KL Rahul’s Irani inclusion, Follow LIVE Updates
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