Gautam Gambhir prefers Ajinkya Rahane to be left out to facilitate Virat Kohli
Gautam Gambhir prefers Ajinkya Rahane to be left out to facilitate Virat Kohli
While talk is widespread that, despite his strong performance in
Johannesburg, Hanuma Vihari will be the one to make way for regular Test captain Virat Kohli's
return to the squad for the third and final Test, ex-India opener Gautam Gambhir disagrees. To
make room for Kohli, the cricketer-turned-politician advised keeping Vihari and dropping Ajinkya
Rahane.
Gambhir wrote on a reputable news agency column that he won't win many fans by saying this, but he would leave Ajinkya Rahane out to make room for the Indian skipper. He said that Hanuma Vihari should stay in the middle-order, in his opinion. He commented that Vihari has been left out in the past in order to accommodate more experienced batters and he is not sure this is the best way to manage a budding star. He added that he doesn’t have anything against Rahane; he's a decent man with a good heart who showed some form in the last game. However, he believes that if he was in charge of Indian cricket, he would be concerned about Vihari.
It'll be intriguing to see who is forced to sit out for Kohli in the end. Gambhir has made a solid point, and the Indian management's decision to take up the suggestion might be daring.
Gambhir hoped that India will choose Umesh Yadav over Ishant Sharma in place of the injured Mohammad Siraj.
Gambhir also wrote that if Mohammad Siraj remains unfit, another forced change will be made and it will be tempting to replace him with the more seasoned, Ishant Sharma. He is the man who has appeared in over 100 Tests for his country and taken over 300 Test wickets. He also wrote that however, with all due respect to Ishant, he would rather play Umesh Yadav and he’s a like-for-like substitute for Siraj in his opinion.
Kohli's return would improve India's morale following their setback. India would also recognise that history is on the line. India has never won a Test series in South Africa, and the team recognises that this is their best opportunity.
Gambhir wrote on a reputable news agency column that he won't win many fans by saying this, but he would leave Ajinkya Rahane out to make room for the Indian skipper. He said that Hanuma Vihari should stay in the middle-order, in his opinion. He commented that Vihari has been left out in the past in order to accommodate more experienced batters and he is not sure this is the best way to manage a budding star. He added that he doesn’t have anything against Rahane; he's a decent man with a good heart who showed some form in the last game. However, he believes that if he was in charge of Indian cricket, he would be concerned about Vihari.
It'll be intriguing to see who is forced to sit out for Kohli in the end. Gambhir has made a solid point, and the Indian management's decision to take up the suggestion might be daring.
Gambhir hoped that India will choose Umesh Yadav over Ishant Sharma in place of the injured Mohammad Siraj.
Gambhir also wrote that if Mohammad Siraj remains unfit, another forced change will be made and it will be tempting to replace him with the more seasoned, Ishant Sharma. He is the man who has appeared in over 100 Tests for his country and taken over 300 Test wickets. He also wrote that however, with all due respect to Ishant, he would rather play Umesh Yadav and he’s a like-for-like substitute for Siraj in his opinion.
Kohli's return would improve India's morale following their setback. India would also recognise that history is on the line. India has never won a Test series in South Africa, and the team recognises that this is their best opportunity.