Mohinder Amarnath wants Dhawan back for 3rd Test, Pujara in lower middle-order

Former Indian cricketer Mohinder Amarnath feels that the Indian cricket team needs to think a little more sensibly in order to turn their fortunes in South Africa. Team India conceded the 3-match Test series with a defeat in the Centurion Test. The pill was a bitter one to swallow as their 9-series winning streak came to a halt. And now, they find themselves in a position to save themselves from embarrassment of the whitewash.

Ahead of the final Test, the former Indian cricketer suggested a few changes for the Indian team in his column for Times of India. Mohinder Amarnath cited that the prime reason for the faltering Indian batting is their improper footwork. The players must know that they have to move their feet a lot quicker on the South African tracks than they would do on conventional sub-continental wickets.

Also, the fact that there has been so much of chopping and changing, is only adding to the woes of the team. He wants the Indian team to take inspiration from the iconic India-Australia Test where the team thought out of the box to send VVS Laxman at number three. One change and the fortunes of the team had turned big time.

“The batsmen are not handling the South Africa fast bowlers with the best of techniques at least where their footwork is concerned. When playing on a faster track, you need to move early, but most of the batsmen are moving the same way they would on a sub-continent track. It works at home but on faster tracks you have to move early and get into position: you should be on the move when playing against fast bowlers on faster tracks,” Mohinder Amarnath noted.

“There has been too much chopping and changing, and while that may work at home, it’s different when playing abroad on a different kind of soil and attack. They have to do something different to compete with South Africa. Perhaps a slight change in the batting order might work. We all remember the famous India-Australia Test at Kolkata when Laxman came in at No. 3 in the second innings, and look what happened! All it took was one change and India made a dramatic turnaround in the match. It just might work again, who knows?” remarked the former cricketer.

Shikhar back in the side, Pujara in lower middle order

Elucidating his point further, Mohinder Amarnath wrote about the changes he would want to see in the Indian lineup. He wants Shikhar Dhawan back in the team at the expense of KL Rahul. Also, he feels Rohit Sharma could still fit in the side despite his poor run with the bat. In addition to that, someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been struggling with the bat, can be demoted to the lower middle order. Rohit can be seen coming up at number 3.

“I would like to see Shikhar Dhawan back in the side, opening with Murali, with KL Rahul or Rohit Sharma (who, despite having a rough time of it, may be kept in the XI) at No. 3, and Pujara or Rahane at Nos. 5/6. Pujara is a fantastic player and but at the moment I think the player at the crucial No. 3 spot should be scoring briskly and playing his shots from the beginning,” mentioned Amarnath.

Beef up the batting

Furthermore, Mohinder Amarnath feels that the Indian team must go in with four bowlers only. They need to understand that they have to add up to their batting lineup. Hence, they should play an extra batsman in the lineup. Except skipper Virat Kohli, no other player seems to have hit the straps right.

“India have a lot of thinking to do where the combination is concerned. There are a lot of ifs and buts, and I feel they should go with just four bowlers to accommodate an extra batsman who will bolster the line-up. The batsmen have to show more aggression; something that has been totally lacking from them apart from Virat Kohli,” he conceded.

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