IND vs AUS: Sanjay Bangar Picks New Opening Partner To Open With Shikhar Dhawan In T20Is Against Australia
Sanjay Bangar believes that 'in-form' Mayank Agarwal should open with Shikhar Dhawan in the remaining two T20Is against Australia in Sydney.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar feels that ‘in-form’ Mayank Agarwal should open with Shikhar Dhawan in the remaining two T20Is against Australia in Sydney.
India has won the first T20 International against Australia by 11 runs and now they will be aiming to win the next match in order to seal the 3-match T20I series.
“It’s going to be a toss-up right because Rohit Sharma, unfortunately, isn’t available for the team, so I believe they will have to go with Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan. Shikhar Dhawan is going to be a consistent factor, but whether they opt to go with KL Rahul, who has again been in fabulous touch, is something that needs to be seen,” Sanjay Bangar said on the show Gameplan on Star Sports.
Team India has not lost a T20I series since February 2019 when Australia defeated them. Since then they have remained unbeaten and would be looking to seal their fifth consecutive T20I series at the Sydney Cricket (SCG). A win on Sunday will help India register their 13th win in 22 clashes against Australia while the hosts will be desperate to avoid a series loss.
“KL Rahul has done great service to the Indian team in the recent past when he’s batted at No. 5, but I believe that Mayank Agarwal may just open with Shikhar Dhawan,” Bangar added.
Talking about Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul’s performance in the just-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Rahul was the highest run-scorer with 670 runs whereas Dhawan stood at the second spot with 618 runs. Meanwhile, Mayank ended at the 14th spot with 424 runs, at a strike-rate of 156.45.
The second T20I between India and Australia will be played on Sunday (December 06) at Sydney Cricket Ground. Notably, the Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will not be a part of the remaining T20I against Australia as he ruled out of the T20I series owing to a concussion, Shardul Thakur was added to India’s squad as his replacement.
Ahead of the second and penultimate T20I versus Australia in Sydney, Sanjay Bangar has called for a new opening pair for Team India.
