England vs India 2018: Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari Should Debut at the Oval - Sourav Ganguly

The former skipper of India, Sourav Ganguly feels the young sensation, Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari should get a go in the final Test. The stylish southpaw added this would be the best chance for India to test their plans.

The Indian management made a lot of tweaks for the opening slot. They tried with their regular pair Vijay-Dhawan then tried Vijay-KL Rahul and finally, settled to Dhawan-KL Rahul. However, none of them fared well for the visitors.

It is essential to have a change at top-order – Sourav Ganguly

The stylish southpaw quoted the time has come for Virat Kohli to look after his team’s batting. With the regular failures by the openers, Ganguly opined the need to change the combination has risen.

Further, he feels this would be the best chance to check the calibre of Prithvi Shaw as well. Shaw had done well for India A in the recent past and is aware of the conditions. Sourav Ganguly terms it is essential to give a chance for the youngster.

“The Oval is a different pitch, it will have a lot of bounce but it is important for Virat to assess how much rough will be created. What Virat needs to have a look at is his team’s batting. It is important to have a change at the top and give Prithvi Shaw a go,” Ganguly wrote in his column for TOI.

“He is young, not battle-scarred, and had a good India ‘A’ tour of England. Both KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan are not in the best of form and it will not be a bad idea to have a change at the top,” he added.

India should try four-bowler strategy and pick Hanuma Vihari – Sourav Ganguly

The Dada opined India should try their four bowlers strategy. Ganguly expressed he is also a big fan of the five-bowler plan but feels this would be the chance to check out the different methods in the store.

“I am a big believer of playing five bowlers and the Indian bowling unit has been exceptional this series. However, maybe Virat can think about a four-bowler option to see how the bowling unit reacts to such situations and whether this could be a possibility in the future,” he said.

”A lot of good teams in world cricket have succeeded with this formula. It will also give Hanuma Vihari an opportunity. Good things have been said about him of late and this will also help to strengthen the squad’s batting depth,” Sourav Ganguly opined.

However, it would be intriguing to see whether the Indian team management considers the suggestions made by Sourav Ganguly. With the series already in the opposition’s bag, India can use this chance to test their bench.