India vs England 2021: Gautam Gambhir feels Mayank Agarwal ‘will have to wait for his turn’ despite having tremendous home season last time around

India vs England 2021: Gautam Gambhir feels Mayank Agarwal ‘will have to wait for his turn’ despite having tremendous home season last time around

Mayank Agarwal

Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir

India and England are all set to lock horns in a four match Test series starting from February 5. Coming into the series, the hosts have a tough selection call to make for the opening spot. On one side is the experienced campaigner Mayank Agarwal. And on the other side is young gun Shubman Gill who impressed in the debut series in Australia. Agarwal failed to replicate his debut series heroics Down Under this time around paving way for Gill to step up.

While many have ruled the Karnataka opener out of contention, it might not be that easy for the selectors given his numbers in the last home season. Mayank scored a total of 597 runs in five Test matches he played in India’s last home season. He slammed two double centuries and a ton, averaging 99.50. These numbers coupled with his experience gives him a fair shot at the lone opening slot available.

You will have to wait for your turn

Mayank Agarwal

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels that Gill will get the nod ahead of Agarwal for the first Test. Gambhir adds that Agarwal’s numbers in India are great. But he explains that Gill deserves a shot given his current form. The cricketer-turned-politician adds that the team management wouldn’t let go of Mayank that easy. And he will stick around the side, for now, waiting for his turn to come again.

“This is what sport is and this is what life is. If you don’t start well and give an opportunity to someone else. And that person performs so well, then you will have to wait for your turn. No doubt, Mayank made tons and tons of runs when he got a chance to play international cricket and did well in India also,’ said Gambhir on Star Sports’ show ‘Game Plan’

“But when he went to Australia, he did not start well. Shubman Gill played with him and he did well. So, now you will have to wait for your turn. And I am sure the team management will not overlook him that quickly. They will keep him with the squad,” he added.

The first of the four Test matches will start on February 5 in Chennai. The second Test is scheduled in Chennai too while the final two Tests will take place at the newly built Motera Stadium.

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