VVS Laxman has advised the Indian team management not to overlook Shreyas Iyer for the Mumbai Test versus New Zealand, scheduled from 03, December. Here is all about IND vs NZ 2nd Test.
Before the final game of the series, the board must overcome the selection dilemma, since usual captain Virat Kohli returns after being rested for the 1st Test in Kanpur, which implies at least one of the players who featured in the first Test should be drop out.
Laxman believes that whoever replaces Kohli should not be Iyer, who scored a century and a half-century in Kanpur. Despite the fact that Iyer was not officially in the equation, his outstanding efforts helped him to secure himself at India’s No. 5 spot in the lineup.
I think it’s a tough call that Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli have to take: Laxman on IND vs NZ 2nd Test
“Shreyas Iyer batted in both the innings and to get a hundred in his first Test series and then to follow it up with a fantastic half-century. Both these innings, mind you, have come when the team was under pressure, so it was a fantastic performance from Shreyas Iyer,” said Laxman.
While questioned who he would replace to make room for Kohli, Laxman picked opening batsman Mayank Agarwal, who had a disappointing first Test after making his return into the lineup.
“It will be difficult, but I believe that Mayank Aggarwal in both the innings gave an underwhelming performance and was uncomfortable at the crease. Cheteshwar Pujara has the ability to open, he has opened the innings previously”.
Since both middle-order stalwarts Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been under pressure and out of runs, Laxman has evaluated the pros and cons of releasing them.
“The number 3 position can be filled by Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli can come at number 4 and Shreyas can come in at number 5 because how can you ignore his performance. So, I think it’s a tough call that Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli have to take. I hope that they take the right decision and don’t ignore the performance of Shreyas Iyer,” added the former player.
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