He Has A Good Opportunity To Capitalise - Danish Kaneria Names Mayank Agarwal As Replacement For Injured Shubman Gill For England Test Series

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria says picks Mayank Agarwal as a favorite to open in place of the injured Shubman Gill in the Test series against England.

Despite being one month away from the beginning of the Test series – which starts on August 4 in Trent Bridge – India have been hit by an injury as opener Shubman Gill is reported to have sustained “stress related injury in his left leg”, and, according to ESPNcricinfo, will need about two months time to recover, ruling him out for at least the first three Tests.

Danish Kaneria reckons Mayank Agarwal is the frontrunner to grab that spot and open alongside Rohit Sharma. Agarwal who was a first-choice opener going into the Australia tour was dropped from the eleven after that series for the home England series, as Gill had procured the opening position with impressive performances in Australia. Gill scored 28 and 8 in the WTC loss against New Zealand.

KL Rahul is also in the squad, and could also get a look-in based on his supreme white-ball form since being dropped from the Test side a couple of years ago.

“Five weeks to go before the start of the India vs England series and Shubman Gill is out. Mayank Agarwal has a good opportunity to capitalise. If he is given the opportunity ahead of Gill, it will be interesting to see how he responds,” Danish Kaneria said on his YouTube channel.

“There were some people who said he should have played ahead of Shubman Gill in the WTC final, but that did not happen. However, the chance is now for Agarwal. It will also be interesting to see whether KL Rahul is considered.”

Even Hanuma Vihari can prove to be a strong option: Danish Kaneria

Another opening option which Danish Kaneria contemplates is that of middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari. Vihari has opened once in his Test career – in 2018 at the MCG.

While he scored only 8 and 13 runs in that Test at the top, he showed solidity against the new ball by playing out 66 and 45 balls respectively in the two innings. The right-hander missed out on a spot in the WTC final; his last Test was the blockathon in Sydney helping India save the Test where he injured his hamstring.

“Let’s see how quickly Gill recovers and makes a comeback. And as far as picking between Agarwal and Rahul is concerned, I have a feeling they will go with Mayank. Even in the middle order, Hanuma Vihari can prove to be a strong option. He has opened in the past as well so you never know,” the 40-year-old former spinner

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