Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar has said that it would be surprising for him if Ajinkya Rahane opts not to bat at no.4 in the absence of Virat Kohli for the remaining three Tests against Australia. India and Australia will now take on each other in the Boxing Day Test, beginning December 26. Agarkar also expressed that Shubman Gill should be the one replacing skipper Kohli in the Indian batting line-up for the second Test match in Melbourne.

During a recent chat with ANI, Ajit Agarkar said, “I think Rahane should promote himself to number four in Kohli’s absence. This is a time when the leader needs to stand up, I will be surprised if Rahane does not promote himself to number four. I think Shubman Gill should play, I have been advocating for that for a while, he has the potential. I know he opens for Punjab in domestic cricket, but if someone like him does well, he can serve Indian cricket for a long time.”

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India suffered a demoralizing eight-wicket loss in the first Test of the series. On Day 3 of the series opener, India finished with a total of 36/9 in the second innings with Australia given a mediocre target of 90 runs to go 1-0 ahead. Australia chased down the total within 21 overs after losing just a couple of wickets. 

Prithvi Shaw was given a nod in the first Test as an opener but he failed to leave a mark as he scored just four runs. Speaking about Shaw, Agarkar said: “Obviously, if your openers don’t perform, it puts more pressure on your middle order. One Test doesn’t make you a good player or a bad player, if it becomes a pattern then you have to worry. You also have to remember it has been nine months since India last played a Test match, it is not easy to just turn up and expect things to happen.”

He further elaborated, “Just because someone failed in a practice game, you do not change the line-up if you think that’s your best team on an overseas tour, you go with it. Rishabh Pant scored a ton in the practice game, but he was not part of the first Test, does that mean it was a wrong decision? Mayank Agarwal has not done much in the first Test either when you are bowled out for 36. Sometimes you need to stick to them despite what is being talked about outside.”

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Agarkar went on to further say that Shaw should be given yet another Test match as he was chosen in the first Test, and it would now be unfair if the team management drops him for the second Test. The second Test of the four-match series will start on December 26.