Virat Kohli’s absence from the last three Test matches is a huge setback for India believes Sanjay Manjrekar. the former Indian batsman in interaction with ANI opened up on the problems the Indian batting line-up might face in the Test series in the absence of Kohli.
The talismanic run-scorer will be on paternity leave to be with his wife and family for the birth of his first child. Sanjay Manjrekar further said that Virat Kohli is half of the Indian batting line-up in foreign testing conditions.
The Test series against Australia starts from December 17 and ahead of that Manjrekar has looked at the options of replacements for Kohli at number four. He started his interaction with ANI by saying that Virat Kohli is half of the Indian batting line-up in foreign conditions.
“Kohli not being there, after the first Test is a massive setback. In foreign conditions, Kohli is half the Indian batting, Pujara stepped up last time in Australia, Kohli has been India’s most dependable player in foreign conditions. So his absence will be a huge setback” Manjrekar told news agency ANI.
Sanjay Manjrekar said that the upcoming Test series will be a test of India’s batting depth. the likes of Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul has been picked from the Test series. One among these will have to fill up Kohli’s absence alongside senior players Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.
“This particular series against Australia is a test of the depth of India’s cricket talent in Tests,” Manjrekar added.
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Ajinkya Rahane At 4 In Kohli’s Absence: Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking further, the cricketer-turned-commentator picked Ajinkya Rahane to replace Kohli at number four for the last three Tests as he weighed in the combinations ahead of the Test series. Young batting prodigy Shubman Gill is likely to make his debut against Australia when red-ball cricket kicks off.
“In Virat’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane should step up and bat at number four. Hanuma Vihari can bat at number five, if Shubman is tried in the middle order, then he should bat at number six,” Manjrekar further said.
Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli was out for 21 in his first innings of the tour down under in Sydney. Chasing 375 to win the first ODI, India lost by 66 runs as they reached 308/8 in their 50 overs. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
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