Pakistan's former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal wants India to rethink their team combination and play R Ashwin in place of the fourth pacer for the next Test match at the Oval. His comments came after India's loss in the third Test by an innings and 76 runs.
Akmal, speaking on his YouTube channel, said the team should also get an extra batsman in the side considering the poor form of Ajinkya Rahane and wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant. Team India were bowled out for 78 in the first innings and 278 runs in the second innings at Headingley.
“I don’t think the pitches for the remaining Tests need so many pacers. They should bring in Ashwin now. Team India also need an extra batter because Rahane and Pant are not in form, so the side will need some backup," he said.
Cheteshwar Pujara (91) and Virat Kohli (55) managed to get a half-century in the second innings of the third Test. But Rahane and Pant's form is a concern for the side and they both need to get runs in the remaining two matches of the series.
“India were depending a lot on Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. Their partnership was crucial against the new ball. Had they batted out the tricky period, things would have gotten easier. But Pujara got out early, without adding to his overnight score of 91. Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant are due for runs. Pujara and Kohli scored some runs at Headingley but there will be lot of pressure on Rahane and Pant. They will need to score runs in the coming Tests," he added.
The series is leveled with 1-1 and Akmal believes the remaining matches are going to be interesting as both sides are competitive. “Looking forward to the next two Tests. This has been a great series with excellent competition between two very good sides. Both India and England have made great comebacks in this series.
"First, India got out of trouble in the second Test and then England fought back brilliantly in the third. The remaining matches should be interesting," he said.
