Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer feels it’s a toss-up between Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane to sit out for the next test against New Zealand in Mumbai. The regular Indian test skipper, Virat Kohli was rested for the first test and will make a comeback in the second.
India’s stand-in skipper, Ajinkya Rahane will be under pressure, owing to his abysmal performance lately. The right-hander averages just 19.57 in test matches this year. In the ongoing test against New Zealand in Kanpur, Rahane scored 35 and 4 in the match.
On the other, opener Mayank Agarwal too failed to contribute much in both the innings. As Virat Kohli returns for the Wankhede test, either Mayank or Ajinkya will have to make way for the skipper, feels Wasim Jaffer.
During a discussion on Espncricinfo, Jaffer said,
“It’s a toss-up between Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane. I would think on those two. That’s the toss-up that Virat Kohli has to make. Whether he wants to go with Mayank Agarwal and give him another go or whether (he thinks) Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t got enough runs in the last 10-12 Test matches after that Melbourne Test so he goes out. It’s a tough call, definitely a tough call. It depends on whom the sword falls on.”
I will open with Wriddhiman Saha if Mayank Agarwal goes out: Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer expressed that if Mayank Agarwal is left out, India should open with Wriddhiman Saha, to not disturb the batting positions of other players. He added, that India will soon have to reconsider their top-six, ahead of South Africa tour in December. Jaffer said,
“I think I will open with Saha if at all Mayank Agarwal goes out because then everybody bats out of their position. Pujara will open and then Ajinkya Rahane will bat at some other position… If Saha opens then everyone bats at the same position.”
“And you can do that in Indian conditions with Saha. Is it a long-term call? Definitely not because India will go to South Africa. So, they’ll have to reconsider their top-six for Mumbai,” he added.
The second Test match between India and New Zealand will begin on December 3 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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