Prasad hints Rohit can open in Tests
NEW DELHI: Selection committee chairman MSK Prasad hinted that Rohit Sharma can be accommodated into the Indian Test playing XI in the opening slot at a time when KL Rahul’s form has become a “cause of concern”.
Rohit has been in sublime form of late but despite being in the squad, he sat out of the twotest series in the West Indies. He has usually played in Tests as a middle-order batsman but with the success of Ajiknkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari in the Caribbean, it is more likely that he can come into the team as an opener, a position in which he has excelled in the shorter formats.
“As selection committee we haven’t met after the conclusion of the West Indies tour. We will definitely take this (Rohit as opener) point into consideration when we all meet and discuss about it,” said Prasad, a former India wicketkeeper. “KL (Rahul) is a great talent. Of course, he is going through a bit of a tough time in Test cricket. We are definitely concerned about his form. He needs to spend more time on the wicket and regain his touch and form,” he said.
SHAKIB WANTS TO QUIT
CHATTOGRAM: Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan has taken full responsibility for their shocking home defeat to Afghanistan in the one-off Test and says it would be best if someone else took over.
“It will be best if I didn’t have to lead,” Shakib said. “I personally believe it will be good for my game. And if I have to continue leading, then obviously there is a lot to discuss (with the board).”
GILL MISSES TON
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opener Shubman Gill (90 off 153) missed out on a hundred but Jalaj Saxena scored a defiant unbeaten 61 to help India ‘A’ take the lead against South Africa ‘A’ and then reduce them to 125/5 at the end of Day 2 in the first unofficial Test. India made 303 to take a 139-run first innings lead.
Brief scores SA A 164 & 125/5 (Z Hamza 44) vs India A 303 (S Gill 90, J Saxena 61*, L Ngidi 3/50)
RELIEF FOR SHAMI
NEW DELHI: The order by the Alipore Court in Kolkata that needed India pacer Mohd Shami to surrender within 15 days from Sep 2, no longer holds good as his lawyer Salim Rahaman obtained a stay from a higher court.