Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reckons that KL Rahul should be picked as Mayank Agarwal’s opening partner for the second Test against Australia, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Gavaskar feels that Shaw, who managed four runs in the Day-Night Adelaide Test, shouldn’t be included for the all-important MCG Test.

In both the innings, Shaw was bowled, first by Mitchell Starc and then by Pat Cummins. Moreover, as per the veteran, Shubman Gill should be slotted in the middle-order. Gill scored a fifty in the pink-ball warm game and his exclusion from the first Test raised a lot of eyebrows.

“Firstly, maybe KL Rahul should replace Prithvi Shaw as an opener. At No. 5 or No. 6, Shubman Gill should come in. His form has been good. Things can change if we start well,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on YouTube channel ‘Sports Tak’.

Rahul has been an integral member of the ODI and T20I teams, but he hasn’t played Test cricket for nearly one and half years after some inconsistent performances with the bat. Rahul last donned the whites during India’s two-match series against the West Indies.

4-0 series loss can happen, reckons Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar was clear cut in saying that if India don’t hit their straps at the earliest, they could be in for a 4-0 whitewash in the series. He also was of the opinion that the visitors should try and make inroads into Australia’s batting.

“India have to believe that they can come back in the remainder of the Test series. If India don’t find the positivity, then 4-0 series loss can happen. But if they have positivity, why not? It can happen (comeback),” he stated.

“India should start the Melbourne Test well, it’s necessary for them to step onto the ground with a lot of positivity. Australia’s weak point is their batting,” Gavaskar quipped.

Gavaskar admitted that the fans’ anger is justified, but also said that cricket is a game filled with uncertainties. “It’s natural that there is anger after such a performance. But in cricket, anything can happen. Look at how the scene was yesterday, and what has happened today,” he added.