Manjrekar also said Shubman Gill can be played at No.6.
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has backed under-fire Prithvi Shaw to open the innings for India alongside most-probable first choice opener Mayank Agarwal in the upcoming four-match Test series in Australia starting 17th of December in Adelaide.
Last year, Rohit Sharma and Agarwal looked set to cement India’s Test opening combination but the cloud of uncertainty over Rohit’s availability for the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has yet again raised questions on who will be the opening partner for Karnataka star.
Mayank’s spot in the playing XI is almost assured as an opener but the second opener’s slot is still open and India has KL Rahul, Shaw, and Shubman Gill in their ranks to fill in for the Test series in Australia.
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However, Shaw’s poor IPL 2020 campaign could go against his selection but Manjrekar feels the 21-year-old batsman should be given another chance on the Australia tour especially when Rohit would not be there for at least the first two Tests. He also suggested Shubman should be batted at the No. 6 position against Australia in Tests.
Manjrekar told ANI, “Mayank Agarwal walks in as opener in Tests. Let’s assume that Rohit is not playing the first two Tests, I would go for Prithvi Shaw as the second opener. Let’s see how it goes and if Shaw shows the poor form as he did in the IPL, then Shubman Gill can be looked at.”
He added, “In Virat Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane should set up and bat at number four. Hanuma Vihari can bat at number five. If Shubman Gill is tried in the middle order, then he should bat at No. 6.”
Noteworthy, the four-Test series between Australia and India kickstarts with the first Day-Night Test at Adelaide Oval from 17 December.