India vs Australia: “His form can transform India’s weakness into a strength” – Ashish Nehra picks Mayank Agarwal’s opening partner

Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw

Going into the much anticipated Border Gavaskar series, India face a question which doesn’t feature often for the think tank. With as many as four opening options in the side in Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw. The team management finds themselves in a fix to choose the opening pair. At the moment the young duo of Gill and Shaw seem to be high in the pecking order to open with Agarwal.
Gill has shown promising signs on the tour as he scored 33 in India’s win in the third ODI. And followed it with 43 and 65 in the ongoing pink-ball practice match in Sydney. On the other hand, Shaw has registered a duck, 19, 40 and 3 in the tour so far. While Rahul looks to come back into the side on the back of an impressive run against the white ball. And Ashish Nehra feels that the Karnataka opener should open alongside his state teammate Agarwal.
I would want KL Rahul to play

The former India speedster feels that Rahul’s confidence following his limited over heroics can benefit the side. Nehra backed him to open the innings as he hailed that if Rahul clicks in all whites, India’s worry would become their strength. Rahul finished Indian Premier League as the highest run-getter. And was in fine touch in the limited over series against Australia. This has tempted the cricket pundits to back him for Test comeback.
“There is question surrounding India’s opening pair, as to who will open with Mayank Agarwal. I wouldn’t exactly call it a weakness, but it surely is a concern at this point. You can look at Shubman Gill, or even Prithvi Shaw for that matter, but I believe it should be KL Rahul to open the batting for India. If he can score runs given the kind of form he is in, this weakness can transform into a strength for India. I would want him to play,” Nehra said in a video on Cricbuzz.
Nehra backed Agarwal to retain his spot on the basis of his performance during his last visit Down Under two years ago. In his debut series for India, Agarwal scored 76 and 42 at the MCG. And finished with a knock of 77 in Sydney as India secured a historic 2-1 victory over the Kangaroos. The 29 year old scored 22 and 28 in the two ODIs. And managed a duck and a half-century against Australia A.
“Mayank Agarwal had played a couple of useful innings for India during the previous tour. With him KL Rahul makes a lot of sense. He hasn’t had the best of runs for India in Tests in the last year and a half. He’s been dropped too, but it’s an opportunity for Rahul,” Nehra pointed out.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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