Brad Hogg wants Prithvi Shaw as Mayank Agarwal’s opening partner for Wellington Test

India’s world turned upside down after a successful T20I series where they won 5-0 despite fight from hosts New Zealand. But in the ODIs, the Men in Blue slumped 3-0. It’s now time for the two-match Test series, scheduled to get underway on February 21 with the opening match at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Prior to the game, the visitors are in for some challenges.

Rohit Sharma’s calf injury during the T20Is has meant that he won’t be playing a part in the red-ball fixtures. He is one of the openers and his injury has left opened up the doors on Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw. Ravi Shastri, the head coach of Team India, has suggested that one of them will be getting chance. He also said that ‘sky is the limit’, for the talented youngsters.

Who should India go for as the second opener?

Meanwhile, both of them got out for ducks in the tour match against New Zealand XI. Scott Kuggelejin accounted for their wickets. Interestingly, Gill batted at number four with Shaw opening the batting with Agarwal, who also flattered to deceive. Mayank and Shaw didn’t have the greatest of outings in the ODI series as well. A stern challenge awaits them in the Test series.

There’s also a chance for Hanuma Vihari to open the innings. Vihari has previously opened the batting in Australia, but has mostly tasted success in the middle-order.  Vihari has recently said that he won’t mind going back to the opening slot. Vihari scored an unbeaten 101 in the same practice game at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. His knock was laced with 10 fours and three sixes.

In the meantime, Brad Hogg, the former Australian spinner, reckons that Shaw and Agarwal should be going out as the openers. He also feels that Vihari should be batting in the middle with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja being kept in the sidelines.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “Talk of Vihari opening in the 1st test against NZ. Big call but they will go with Shaw & Agarwal. Vihari will bat 6 with Jadeja to miss out. #IndvNZ #Cricket #BCCI,”

Here is Brad Hogg’s post

Talk of Vihari opening in the 1st test against NZ. Big call but they will go with Shaw & Agarwal. Vihari will bat 6 with Jadeja to miss out. #IndvNZ #Cricket #BCCI

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 15, 2020