Australia vs India 2018-19: Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw Could End India's Opening Woes - Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir believes Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw could end India’s opening woes in Test cricket. India has struggled with their opening stand in the red ball version and it has been India’s, Achilles Heel. KL Rahul, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan have failed to deliver the goods for the team.

On the other hand, Prithvi Shaw made an impressive entry in the multi-day format. The prodigy batsman got a hundred on his Test debut as he scored a fine knock of 134 runs in the first Test against the Windies.

He also a scored a fine knock of 70 in the second Test. However, Shaw was unfortunate to miss out on the Australia tour as he suffered an ankle injury during the practice match.

Furthermore, Mayank Agarwal began his Test career on a high as the Karnataka batsman scored a fine knock of 76 in his maiden innings. Furthermore, he scored 42 in the second innings of the third Test match. The in-form batsman scored another top knock of 77 runs in the first innings of the fourth Test against Australia.

Gautam Gambhir said while talking to Times Now, “One positive thing is that Mayank Agarwal has done really well. This is his first tour and second Test match. He has been very consistent, we should be happy on that front. Look, opening is the toughest job in cricket, especially Test cricket. If it would have been easy, a lot of people who got so many runs would have opened the batting, which they never did in Test cricket. You have to be patient with him (Rahul). Plus, now you have another opener in Prithvi Shaw who has settled in. Shaw is someone who has done reasonably well in the first series he played. Those two guys can take the burden of opening the innings in future for a very long time”.

Both Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw has shown the promise to be India’s future opening pair. They have scored a truckload of runs in the domestic circuit and deserves their chance for the national side.

On the other hand, Gambhir believes Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah have the difference between the two sides in the ongoing series.

Gambhir said, “Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah are the difference between the two sides. From a batting point of view, Pujara is someone who has stood out. Bumrah has done the same in the bowling department. These two guys have stood out in the series that is why the result is what the results are”.

India is in the dominating position in the Sydney Test match and already has a 2-1 lead.