Former spinner Pragyan Ojha feels that Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar might face the axe when Virat Kohli and KL Rahul return to the Test team for the England series. Kohli missed the first two Test owing to personal reasons, while Rahul sustained an injury to miss the Vizag clash.
The BCCI has not announced the squad for the last three Tests as there is still uncertainity over Kohli’s return to the team. While Rahul, who scored a fighting fifty in the opening Test, is expected to get fit in time for the remaining matches.
Ojha said that the recent form of Iyer has put him behind in the race as he has to sit out alongside Patidar if the senior duo returns to the squad.
“Shreyas Iyer was left slightly behind. When you talk about great batters like Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul have 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 on Colors Cineplex.
The former spinner said when great batters like Kohli and Rahul return then it’s not possible for the players like Iyer and Patidar to get the cushion.
“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,” the former India spinner added.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill scored a fine century in Vizag to consolidtae his position in the squad. He was going through a lean patch before the second Test but his century came in right time for both him and the team to level the series 1-1.
Ojha also talked highly of Shubman’s ability to handle the pressure after his fighting knock.
“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.”
“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,” Ojha said.
Comments
0 comment