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Cricket PlayersIND vs NZ: 'He looked uncomfortable' - Laxman critical of India batter; backs Rahane, Pujara and Iyer to play 2nd Test
Laxman has suggested not one but two changes in the playing XI for the Mumbai game, which included handing Cheteshwar Pujara a new role in the line-up.
With India facing a tough selection choice to make for the second Test against New Zealand, former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman has suggested not one but two changes in the playing XI for the Mumbai game, which included handing Cheteshwar Pujara a new role in the line-up.
Speaking on Star Sports show ‘Follow The Blues’, Laxman criticised opener Mayank Agarwal's performance in the Kanpur Test, calling it “underwhelming” as he returned with scores of 13 and 17. In the last two years, he has scored only 210 runs at just 17.50.
The veteran suggested that India should rather open with Cheteshwar Pujara and play Ajinkya Rahane at No.3, followed by captain Virat Kohli. He also retained Shreyas Iyer at No.5, who scored 105 and 65 in his debut appearance in the format, reviving India on both occasions after a top-order failure, urging head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Kohli to not ignore his performance.
"I believe that Mayank Agarwal in both the innings gave an underwhelming performance and was uncomfortable at the crease. Cheteshwar Pujara has the ability to open, he has opened the innings previously," said Laxman.
"The number 3 position can be filled by Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli can come at number 4 and Shreyas can come in at number 5 because how can you ignore his performance. So, I think it's a tough call that Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli have to take. I hope that they take the right decision and don't ignore the performance of Shreyas Iyer."
Pujara opened only five times in his 91-match Test career, all between 2012 and 2015 and all in Asia, scoring 348 runs in six innings which included a 52 and an unbeaten 82 against Australia in 2013, and 145 not out off 456 deliveries against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2015.
The third Test will begin from December 3 in Mumbai.
