Ajit Agarkar names 3 replacements for Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in Test team

Former Indian pace-bowling all-rounder Ajit Agarkar opined that the Indian cricket team management should consider picking new players in the middle-order. The experienced duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara has struggled for quite some time. However, they have received good backing from the backroom staff. 

During a discussion on Star Sports after the Indian cricket team’s defeat against the South African cricket team in the ICC World Test Championship series, Ajit Agarkar pointed out that there are many talented players in India who could replace the experienced duo. 

He felt that Shreyas Iyer could be considered for one of the positions, and Hanuma Vihari could be another option. As per Ajit Agarkar, even Shubman Gill could be groomed as a middle-order batter because he can be a long-term asset for the country. Here’s what Agarakar said while discussing the possible replacements: 

"You have two players - Shreyas Iyer played a good Test in Kanpur and I don't think Vihari has done anything wrong whenever he has played Test cricket. You have Shubman Gill as well, so you have options."

Virat Kohli ready to back the senior players but says selectors will make final decision 

At the post-match presentation ceremony of the Cape Town Test match, the Indian cricket team team captain Virat Kohli ducked the question about the two experienced batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. 

He clarified that like always, he would back the two senior batters of the team, but he also added that the selectors would make the final decision as it was not his job to decide who will play in the squad. 

The Indian cricket team will play their next ICC World Test Championship series against the Sri Lankan cricket team at home. It will be interesting to see if Pujara and Rahane get a chance to play that series.