Former spinner Pragyan Ojha has suggested that Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar could potentially face axe from India's lineup for the third Test. Ojha has advised both Iyer and Patidar to concentrate on their performances in domestic cricket to bolster their chances of earning a spot in the Indian team.
Virat Kohli had withdrawn from the first two Tests for personal reasons, while KL Rahul was absent from the second match due to a right quadriceps injury. The selection committee, under the leadership of Ajit Agarkar, is poised to announce the squad for the upcoming matches in the coming days.
Pragyan Ojha, participating in a discussion on Colors Cineplex, expressed his belief that if Virat Kohli and KL Rahul return for the third Test, Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar may find themselves left out. He stressed the limited opportunities available to Iyer and Patidar in such a scenario.
Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar to be dropped?
“Shreyas Iyer was left slightly behind. When you talk about great batters like Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul has also scored runs, when they return, they will automatically be part of the XI. So probably Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar will have to make way because the situation is like that,” Ojha said.
“It’s not that you don’t want to give opportunities but when great batters are coming and you don’t have that much room, you cannot give them the cushion. So go back and score runs in domestic cricket,” he added.
Shreyas Iyer accumulated a total of 56 runs during the Visakhapatnam Test. It is worth noting that Iyer had contributed 48 runs in the series opener held in Hyderabad. On the other hand, Rajat Patidar, making his debut, managed to score 41 runs across both innings but was dismissed by Rehan Ahmed on both occasions.
In the first Test, KL Rahul batted in the number 4 position, and India suffered a 28-run defeat. The right-handed batsman contributed 86 runs as India posted a total of 436 runs in the first innings. He also added 22 runs while attempting to chase a target of 231 runs in the final innings of the match.
Pragyan Ojha commended Shubman Gill's outstanding batting performance and his ability to handle pressure effectively. He emphasized Gill's mental resilience in successfully navigating challenges and suggested that such experiences would have a positive impact on his character.
Pragyan Ojha heaps praise on Shubman Gill
“Fantastic batting by Shubman Gill. He grasped his chance. I will repeatedly talk about the way he handled pressure. Everyone knows that he has a lot of talent. When you play for your country, you have something special,” Ojha further said.
“However, if you are repeatedly questioned in different ways and things are not going in your favor, your mentality takes you forward. That was a standout thing seen in him. I feel this will change his character because he will now know what needs to be done when he gets into a similar situation,” he concluded.
During India's second innings, Shubman Gill showcased his skills by achieving a century, making a substantial contribution to the team's commanding lead of 398 runs. The 24-year-old batsman compiled an impressive 104 runs from 147 deliveries, breaking a streak of 13 Test innings without reaching a half-century.
The third Test match between India and England is slated to be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, scheduled from February 15 to 19.
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