Team India had to go through a tough Test series defeat against South Africa, losing the series 1-2. It was also the last time where Virat Kohli led the Indian team in Tests. The series kick-started the series with a securing a win at the Centurion.
However, they failed to maintain the momentum and crashed in the following 2 Tests.
Following the incidents, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh made some crucial observations on the way going forward from here. He believes that there could be a number of changes, when Team India will play their next Test against Sri Lanka from February 25th in Bengaluru.
Harbhajan criticized Mayank Agarwal for not utilizing the opportunities given to him in South Africa. He also suggested two openers who can replace the 30-year-old.
“Mayank Agarwal got six innings but he didn't make use of the opportunity, which is a sign that some new player might come. Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw can be seen in the next series because six innings is more than enough for a player. Mayank is a good player whom I support but since he hasn't scored enough so I don't know what will be the way forward from here,” said Harbhajan in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Opening the innings, Mayank could only manage scoring 135 runs in 6 innings with an average of 22.50.
Harbhajan also mentioned that it will be difficult for the middle order batters, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to retain their spot in the XI.
"Rahane and Pujara played 50-run knocks in Johannesburg but expectations from seniors are much higher than this. They haven't scored enough runs and I personally feel the way ahead from here will be difficult for them."
"Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, who scored a hundred in the previous series are waiting for their opportunity and I feel the way Rahane and Pujara performed they have actually opened the doors for Iyer and Suryakumar," said the former cricketer.
