Former India pace bowler Ajit Agarkar wants the Indian team to add Suryakumar Yadav into the playing XI if he is fit enough to return. However, he missed the game against New Zealand due to back spasms.
Notably, Suryakumar Yadav was seen in India’s optional training session with assistant strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai as well. Physio Nitin Patel and strength and conditioning coach Nick Webb are also watching his recovery. And, Agarkar felt that with the return of the swashbuckling batsman in the playing XI, Rohit Sharma can open alongside KL Rahul.
However, in India’s match against New Zealand, Rohit came to bat at number 3, as Ishan Kishan, who replaced Suryakumar, opened the innings along with Rahul. While previewing India’s match against Afghanistan on ESPN Cricinfo, Ajit Agarkar shared his views.
He said: “Suryakumar Yadav if he is fit, comes in for me Rohit goes to open the innings. Pandya’s form is certainly a concern, but if you’ve backed him for 2 games, then you don’t want to tinker too much. He also bowled a couple of overs in the last game, so that helps.”
Agarkar also shared that a change in their mindset would help Team India. He added: “India would just look to bat better. change in venue, I don’t know about that but a change of mindset definitely would.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan batsman Shan Masood felt that India should try to use the seam-friendly conditions in Abu Dhabi. They can play with four pacers in the playing XI as well.
Masood said: “Abu Dhabi has the most seam friendly conditions out of all the venues. India could play an additional pacer and rest one spinner against an Afghanistan team that plays spin well. That might be the only change that’s on offer, other wise it should be the same team.”
Ajit Agarkar also said that taking risks against the veteran spinner Rashid Khan could be dangerous and that India should focus on getting runs off the rest of the bowling unit as well. The leg-spinner has been in sublime form while the Indian batsmen have been struggling so far in the World Cup. India will play against Afghanistan in Dubai on November 3. After that, they will take on Namibia and Scotland as well.
“You have to look at the situation. Very few batsman successfully manage to attack Rashid Khan. If you are getting enough runs against the rest of the bowling attack, no need to take unnecessary risks against Rashid,” Ajit Agarkar concluded.
