With Rohit Sharma unavailable for the ODI series against the Proteas, Rahul opened the batting with Shikhar Dhawan. Although India’s new full-time white-ball skipper is back for the series against the West Indies, Dhawan testing positive for COVID-19 has again opened up a spot at the top of the order.
During a discussion on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Ajit Agarkar was asked about Rahul’s likely batting position in the ODI series against the Windies. He responded:
The former India pacer added Rahul should open against Kieron Pollard’s side only if he is a long-term option at the top of the order. Ajit Agarkar pointed out:
Rahul is unavailable for the first ODI against West Indies due to personal reasons. Either Ishan Kishan or Mayank Agarwal is likely to open with Sharma in such a scenario.
“That will be interesting to see because Shikhar Dhawan is there as well” - Ajit Agarkar
While being unsure of Shikhar Dhawan as a long-term prospect, Ajit Agarkar highlighted that Rahul opting to bat at the top of the order would put a question mark on the veteran opener’s spot as well. He elaborated:
The 44-year-old concluded by suggesting Ishan Kishan or even Rishabh Pant as opening options for Team India. Ajit Agarkar observed:
Pant has never batted at the top of the order for Team India. However, he was Kishan’s opening partner at the 2016 under-19 World Cup.
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