Prithvi Shaw low on confidence and Shubman Gill hasn't played a single Test, VVS Laxman

SRH mentor and Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman feels that India is facing a major dilemma. The dilemma is regarding the opening partnership for the 1st Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

The revered commentator was recently asked about the challenges that India will face in the 1st Test. To this, Laxman replied that India’s major concern would be the batting department, specifically the opening partnership.

Prithvi Shaw is one opening option for the Indian Test team. However, the DC opener has not been in form for quite a while. Another batting option is available in the form of Shubman Gill. Gill was in peak form with KKR in IPL 2020. In 14 matches for KKR, Gill amassed 440 runs. Gill was arguably KKR’s best batsman this season. However, the Test format is completely different from the T20 format. In the Test format, Laxman felt that Gill is relatively new and has little or no experience.

Laxman feels that India needs some experienced players in order to challenge Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia will play the likes of some experienced players such as Steve Smith, David Warner, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc. Furthermore, India’s star batsman Virat Kohli will also leave prior to the 1st Test. Therefore, Laxman feels India would need a strong opening partnership to put the team in a commanding position against Australia.

Laxman was also surprised to see that KL Rahul was not part of the team in the pink-ball warmup match. He reckoned that this meant that Rahul is unlikely to make it to the starting XI of India’s Test team.

Second opener’s spot a major concern for India: VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman stated that there will be a battle between Shaw and Gill to open alongside Mayank Agarwal. Mayank Agarwal did not impress in the limited-overs series against Australia. Agarwal will look to bounce back with a decent performance against the Aussies in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Kohli and the Indian team management now have a huge task in front of them.  They can opt for Prithvi Shaw, who is relatively low on confidence but has experience playing Test matches. The second option is to go with Gill, who is in good form but is currently new to the Test format. Either way, Mayank Agarwal would open with a somewhat inexperienced player. India will strongly rely on their openers to give them an ideal start.

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