Sanjay Manjrekar wants Cheteshwar Pujara as opener

Hyderabad: The Indian opening pair of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal has been disappointing in the first Test that India lost by eight wickets. Having shot out for their lowest ever Test total 36 the heat was on the team management to do some tinkering with the playing XI.

While the inclusion of KL Rahul or Shubman Gill as opener will be known only after the team’s announcement, former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar suggested Cheteshwar Pujara to open the innings. He suggested that Pujara’s promotion will give India more options and advantage in Australian conditions. Taking to twitter, he wrote, “I have batted no 3 overseas. You are invariably going in early, facing bowlers with their tails up from ball no 1. Anyone for Pujara opening? To make his life easier? + better chance of not losing a quick wkt & opposition being on top early. Tell me your top 4 next Test.”

Pujara was the key for India’s Test series victory in 2018 where he scored over 500 runs.