Gautam Gambhir Backs Mayank Agarwal To Open For India In Tests

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has backed the young, robust Mayank Agarwal to open for India in the impending Test matches. India will take on New Zealand in the first game of the two-match Test series from February 21 at Wellington.

Having won the T20I series by a handsome 5-0 margin, the Men in Blue were completely demolished in the ODIs. The Tests will prove to be the decider as to who emerges on top after the tour ends.

Before the game, there has been a debate over who should open for Team India in the longer version of the game.

The regular opener, Rohit Sharma is away from the team due to a calf injury he pulled off in the final T20 of the series against New Zealand.

Sharma is expected to make a comeback only when the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 starts from 29th March, this year.

Gautam Gambhir Backs Mayank Agarwal to Open for India:

Meanwhile, former Indian opener Gambhir has backed Mayank Agarwal to open the innings for India in Tests.

“I have a lot of faith in Mayank Agarwal. He may not be the most gifted going around but he is certainly the most organised. He will not treat bowlers with disdain like Virender Sehwag or a David Warner did but has the clarity of mind of an opening batsman,” Gambhir wrote in his column for Times of India.

The cricketer-turned-politician also mentioned that he is excited to see either Prithvi Shaw or Shubman Gill open for India and take up a new challenge.

“We will have a new pair opening the batting for India. It will interesting to see how Prithvi Shaw or Shubhman Gill react to opportunities as and when they get,” Gambhir wrote.

The first Test between India and New Zealand will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and the pitch is expected to be favourable to the bowlers which will make the task cut out for the opening batsmen, especially against the new ball.

Also Read: New Zealand vs India 2020: 1st Test, Wellington – India’s Predicted Playing XI