Indian fans livid over Shashi Tharoor's suggestion of opening the innings with Ravi Ashwin

India’s ongoing Test series against Austrlalia has been marred with injuries. While Rohit Sharma and Ravi Ashwin were ruled out of the second Test after taking a 1-0 lead, the wonder-kid Prithvi Shaw failed to recover from his injury, thereby missing out on the remainder of the Test series. With the current openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay failing consistently to impress, this has been a body blow for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor, the MP of Trivandrum, had a suggestion for the Indian team. He felt that Ravi Ashwin should open the innings and Mayank Agarwal should be handed his international debut in the Boxing Day Test. While the call for Agarwal making his debut was valid but what left many perplexed was his comment over Ashwin opening the innings.

According to Shashi, Ashwin has a sound technique to succeed against the new ball and has a calm head on his shoulders. Moreover, playing him at the top of the order will open up a slot for an extra batsman to play down the order.

The departure of @PrithviShaw is a bigger setback than the Test loss to Australia. Perhaps we should ask @ashwinravi99 to open with MayankAggarwal now? He has an organised defence & a calm head on his shoulders. And that wld free up a slot for a middle-order bat or all-rounder.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 20, 2018

Who can actually open?

While Shashi Tharoor just gave his opinion, the issue of the openers not performing continue to haunt Team India. Rahul and Vijay have been utterly disappointing and with the series locked at 1-1, it remains to be seen if the tourists will risk playing a debutant in Melbourne where close to 1 lakh people will be cheering their favourite team.

Virat Kohli, in the post-match presser, also hinted that they will be most probably playing the same opening duo for the third Test as well. India, on the other hand, are frankly left with no other option as well after Shaw’s injury. They won’t risk exposing such an inexperienced player in the most important game of the series. But Shashi Tharoor has faced a lot of heat from the fans for his suggestions.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Thank god ..u didn't say @imVkohli should open the bowling as well

— vivek nambiar🇮🇳 (@vivek0507) December 21, 2018

Wow!! We got a replacement for @RaviShastriOfc @BCCI

— Arun K Anandan (@Arunxaf) December 21, 2018

This is only bettered by Rahul Gandhi next prime minster claims.

— Sajit Gopalan (@diabolic66) December 20, 2018

Rahul Gandhi Ko bhejo open karne..

..pappu pass ho jayega….

— Akash Jadhav (@akash431992) December 20, 2018

Aapla desh maag asnyach ajun ek example!
Nako tith dok chalvaych.. 🤐@imAJ_07

— Abhishek Hanbar (@abhi_ph17) December 21, 2018

We can expect such a selection from u Mr Tharoor..When u can pitch @RahulGandhi as PM candidate then @ashwinravi99 as an opener in test is a small thing..!! #RIP your choice n selection…#Spare cricket..

— Ashu (@ashuair) December 21, 2018

enough now.. cricket is not UN

— Naveen (@naveeniium) December 21, 2018

Ash to open?
Its like asking congress to lead the nation..disaster

— MegaBot 2.0 (@sureshfair) December 20, 2018

Here is a forgotten political expert wants to become cricket expert. This expert should know that R. Asvin played cricket clup cricket as an opener long ago. Even for Tamilnadu he is not a opening batsman

— B K SANKAR (@bksankar11) December 21, 2018

And @klrahul11 should bowl opening spells with @cheteshwar1 .thats why they lost govt due to these gyanies.

— Bhupesh Singh (@Bhupesh37678285) December 21, 2018

Well am happy u didnt say Rahul Gandhi is the best option for indian cricket as a opener just like how he is for indian politics. Have u heard the saying” nach na janay toh aangan teda” fyi.. cricketers actually work hard and i doubt rahul gandhi ever heard of that adjective!

— Shaji Parameshwaran (@shaj22) December 21, 2018

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