File photo of Virat Kohli
With the Indian team 0-1 down and multiple senior players missing, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif understandably worried the Test series against England will unfold. While Virat Kohli pulled out of the first two matches against England due to a personal reason, the likes of KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja are set to miss the second Test in Vizag because of their respective injuries. Though India have a string of impressive youngsters to step up and deliver, Kaif is keeping his fingers crossed, hoping for Virat’s quick return.
When asked about the player who can step up on Kohli’s absence, Kaif feels the likes of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Yashasvi Jaiswal all have the potential to deliver.
“What I feel is that an Indian ODI team is playing Test cricket at the moment. Be it Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, or Shubman Gill, all are strokemakers. Gill loves to hit shots, but doesn’t have much confidence in his defence. So he has to make adjustments to his defensive technique to see off good bowling spells. Even Shreyas Iyer is an aggressive player,” Kaif told the Times of India.
Kaif also feels the likes of Sarfraz Khan, who received his maiden Test call-up ahead of the Vizag encounter, could get a look in. But, the former India star knows it will be difficult for the Indian batting unit in the absence of Kohli, Rahul and Jadeja.
I hope it isn’t too late till Virat Kohli comes (after the second Test). Dhruv Jurel or in his current form, even Sarfaraz Khan can get a look in. But in the absence of KL Rahul and Jadeja, the Indian batting will weaken, no doubt about that. Axar may have to bat at No.8 and that’s why I feel Washington Sundar can get a look-in because they want batting till No. 9,” he said.
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