ENG vs IND 2018: Ajit Agarkar Questions KL Rahul And Shikhar Dhawan's Place In Test Team

Former India allrounder Ajit Agarkar has questioned the spots of KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan after the openers failed yet again in the ongoing fifth England vs India Test.

The ongoing series has been a thrilling one. There have been surprises throughout the intriguing series. However, one thing that has been consistent throughout this series is the Indian openers plight.

No matter who has opened the innings, India have failed to get good starts barring the win at Trent Bridge. And the latest failure came at The Oval with both Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul failing to deliver. After conceding 332, India needed a good start to wipe out the score. However, Dhawan departed after scoring just three.

KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara then steadied the ship with a 54-run stand. However, Rahul failed to convert his start again and fell for 37. The score is Rahul’s highest in the series despite batting in nine innings.

So far, Dhawan has managed just 161 runs in seven innings at an average of 23 while Rahul, who, played all the matches in the series so far scored only 150 runs in seven innings at an average of 16.67.

And the latest failure made Ajit Agarkar question their place in the team.

“Yes conditions have been difficult for the openers. But it’s five Tests now and that is more than some other players would get an opportunity. I mean, Vijay was sent home after three Tests, who has arguably been India’s most successful openers in recent times. So it is time to question whether is worth persisting with Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul,” Agarkar told ESPNcricinfo.

“For Dhawan, it has been another failure for him overseas. Yes sometimes its a gut feeling from the coach that you want to persist with some guys, but for Dhawan, it is a clear pattern of not succeeding overseas. Similarly for Rahul and it is indeed a big series,” he added.

Meanwhile, India finished the day on 174 for 6 after bowling out England for 332.