The Indian team management has a tough task to do while finalizing the playing XI for the crucial second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While Mayank Agarwal will be opening the innings for sure, there is little clarity over who will be his partner. Prithvi Shaw is unlikely to get a chance after his consistent failures especially in the first Test where he was out for 0 and 4.
The youngster also turned out to be a failure in the tour games but the team management still showed faith in him. However, Shaw failed to justify the faith as he flopped in the opening Test in Adelaide. There have been calls from several quarters to replace him with Shubman Gill as the latter impressed during the tour games.
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However, it won’t be very surprising if India decides not to give a chance to Gill for the crucial game because of his inexperience as he is yet to make his debut in Tests. There are some other options too like recalling KL Rahul into the playing eleven or trying out Hanuma Vihari as an opener like the previous tour of Australia.
And ahead of the game, Sanjay Manjrekar has come up with a unique suggestion for the opener’s slot. He reckons that Cheteshwar Pujara could be a good option for the role. Sanjay Manjrekar opined that there is not much difference in conditions for the opener or the No.3 batsman.
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Tweeting about the same, Manjrekar wrote: “I have batted no 3 overseas. You are invariably going in early, facing bowlers with their tails up from ball no 1. Anyone for Pujara opening? To make his life easier? + better chance of not losing a quick wkt & opposition being on top early. Tell me your top 4 next Test”.
I have batted no 3 overseas. You are invariably going in early, facing bowlers with their tails up from ball no 1.
Anyone for Pujara opening? To make his life easier? + better chance of not losing a quick wkt & opposition being on top early. Tell me your top 4 next Test👍— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 23, 2020
Well, Pujara is not new to the opening position in Tests. So far, he has opened in 4 Tests and has a stunning record as an opener. In those four games, he had amassed as many as 348 runs in just five innings with the help of 1 century and two fifties.
