Aakash Chopra holds that Prithvi Shaw is likely to open alongside Mayank Agarwal in the day and night Test at Adelaide. Shaw who opened in the last Test series against New Zealand again played as an opener in both practice matches against Australia A. However, Shaw failed to capitalize on his starts in both matches and gave his wicket away.
With the first Test between India and Australia just a few days away, team India is still undecided about their opening combination. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra maintains that Shaw will get the nod ahead of Gill and bat at the top with Agarwal.
Prithvi Shaw Will Be Opening In The First Test Ahead of Subman Gill- Aakash Chopra
He further pointed out that KL Rahul who did not play in the practice match is unlikely to play in the first Test against Australia.
“KL Rahul was not played which means that he is probably not in the Indian team’s thinking at the moment”, Chopra was quoted as saying on his official YouTube channel.
“Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill both got a chance to play. This means that it is now a two-horse race between them on who will open with Mayank Agarwal. Both scored almost the same number of runs but then there is another innings coming”, Chopra added.
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“It looks like Prithvi Shaw will be Mayank Agarwal’s opening partner in the first Test match because he is sent ahead while Shubman Gill is at no. 3. Since Mayank Agarwal got out early, Gill came almost at the start. So, it seemed like he is playing as an opener itself. So, it became an almost even playing field for both the batsmen”, said Aakash Chopra.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill who batted at 3 in the second practice match impressed everyone after he scored a fine half-century in the second innings. On the other hand, Shaw again fell cheaply and could only score 3 runs.
Still, Chopra reckons that the Indian team to expected to open with Shaw instead of Gill. The first Test match between India and Australia will be played between December 17-21 at Adelaide.
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