'He can deal with the seamers, attack the spinners' - Saba Karim names Mayank Agarwal as Cheteshwar Pujara's replacement for SA Tests

Cheteshwar Pujara has been under the scanner due to his inability to score runs. The veteran right-hander has not scored even a single Test hundred in the whole of 2021 and also averages just 29.83 this year with the willow.

And, former Indian cricketer Saba Karim feels that Mayank Agarwal can take up Pujara’s No.3 slot in the Indian Test lineup. Karim further elucidated that Agarwal has played a lot of domestic cricket, and knows how to tackle the spinners. The 54-year-old Karim also opined that Agarwal can play the new ball well at the top of the order as well.

“When a player has played domestic cricket for 4-5 years, then he knows how to counter spinners well. He can be a good option for the number 3 spot as he can deal with seamers with the new ball while also being able to attack the spinners,” said Saba Karim on his YouTube channel.

The time has come to give new players a chance: Saba Karim

Saba Karim also feels that India should have stability in their batting lineup, and if the middle order is not scoring runs regularly, then the Indian lower order will be under a lot of pressure. Karim also feels that the time has come for the Indian side to provide chances to newer players in the side.

“There should be stability in the top-order. If players batting at number 3,4 and 5 aren’t scoring runs regularly, then the lower-order will be under pressure. If you are playing against a strong bowling attack, then they would not let you hang in there in such cases.

Either you wait for your main players to come back to form or you will have to give chances to newer players. I think the time has come to give new players a chance,” concluded Saba Karim.