India vs England 2021: I Don't Think You Want To Pull The Cord Yet ,You Need That Experience: Brad Hogg On Ajinkya Rahane

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg said that India needs their vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane’s experience in the remaining Tests against England.

Rahane, who is India’s vice-captain in Test format, hasn’t scored enough runs with the only time he stepped up was in Lord’s where his 61 helped India revive their innings. The Mumbai batsman averages 19.00 from the three matches he has played in the series so far.

Experts suggest Suryakumar Yadav should replace Ajinkya Rahane in the Indian team

On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav, who was added to the Indian squad after Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar suffered injuries, averages 44.01 in first-class cricket is waiting for his opportunity to make his debut in the oldest format.

Yadav made his debut in T20I and ODI this year and didn’t fail to impress everyone with his batting performance. Along with Prithvi Shaw, he was asked to travel after the completion of the Sri Lanka tour and many experts feel that the Mumbai Indians batsman can replace Rahane in the Indian Tests side.

Having Surykumar Yadav and Pant coming in together at 5 and 6 exposes that lower-order because both players are aggressive: Brad Hogg

But Hogg feels Suryakumar’s inclusion will expose the lower-order batsmen and opined that the Indian team should not lose Rahane’s experience.

“There is a big thought and I’m thinking it as well to bring Surykumar Yadav in at number 5 in place of Ajinkya Rahane, but once you do that, Ajinkya Rahane is out for good, it is a career-changing move and you’ve got to give Suryakumar Yadav a number of opportunities. I don’t think you want to pull the cord yet , you need that experience,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel. 

“Having Surykumar Yadav and Pant coming in together at 5 and 6 exposes that lower-order because both players are aggressive,” he added. 

The series is leveled at 1-1 with India winning the second Test at Lord’s by 151 runs, only for England to bounce back at Headingley with an innings and 76 runs triumph. The first Test was drawn after the final day was washed by rain showers.

Also Read: India vs England 2021: I Would Not Even Think Of Excluding Ajinkya Rahane From Both Test Matches, Says VVS Laxman