India vs England 2021: “India need to drop Ajinkya Rahane and bring in Mayank Agarwal,” says Monty Panesar
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Former England spinner Monty Panesar has called for India to drop their vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane from the playing XI in the ongoing series and pick Mayank Agarwal. India were dealt a reality check in the first Test against England in Chennai and according to Panesar, India severely underestimated their opponents and also erred in their team selection by not picking Kuldeep Yadav.
India had just come into the series against England on the back of a famous series win in Australia and naturally confidence was sky high.
However, inspired by Joe Root and supported by some excellent bowling, England sealed a facile win on the last day of the first Test to draw first blood and go 1-0 up in the series that will decide who gets to face New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).
Monty Panesar wants changes in Indian line-up
Monty Panesar spoke in an exclusive interview with firstsportz.com about India’s loss against England and vouched for changes to be made with immediate effect. He stated that Kuldeep Yadav had to have been picked in the first Test itself and since the same didn’t happen and India struggled, it is a no-brainer that he has to come in, in the second Test in Chennai. “India should have played Kuldeep as England don’t have much preparation against chinaman bowling and googlies,” he said.
Further, Panesar wanted vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane to be dropped and he said, “Drop Rahane, bring in Agarwal. Rahane averages only 9 against England. He is a world class player no doubt, but look at his numbers against England.” It remains to be seen what changes India make when the second Test gets underway on the 13th of February in Chennai.
Also Read: India vs England 2021: “Worst surface I’ve seen” – Jofra Archer hits out at Chennai pitch
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Nevin Clinton
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