Former Indian cricketer and team director Ravi Shastri on Wednesday said that K L Rahul should open the innings for India in the second Test match against England starting in Visakhapatnam tomorrow.
"If fit, K L Rahul should open the innings along with Murali Vijay,” Ravi Shastri said in India TV’s special show ‘Cricket Ki Baat’.
After the drawn first Test where Indian batting came under scrutiny in the second innings, Rahul was pulled out of an ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan and brought into the Indian squad.
With Rahul becoming an automatic choice, it seems to be curtains for senior pro Gambhir who made a Test comeback after more than two years.
In Rahul's absence, Gambhir played two Tests with scores of 29 and 50 against New Zealand and 20 and 0 against England.
Meanwhile, the former Indian cricketer also advised India to bat first if they win the toss.
“Team India should bat first if the win toss and try to put as much score on beard to put the visitors under pressure.”
During the discussion on ‘Cricket Ki Baat’, Ravi Shastri also opined that the Vizag pitch will start turning from day 1.
"Generally in Vizag, pitch has always been something that helps the spinners. So I expect the pitch will start turn from day 1.”
