India Might Consider Suggestion of Sourav Ganguly for the First Test

Before the first Test against England begins, India had opted for a three-day warm-up game against Essex at Chelmsford which got over on Friday.

Cricket news: Shikhar Dhawan’s terrible form might cost him his place

Through the game the visitors had hinted their combination for the opening slot. But the form of their regular Test opener, Shikhar Dhawan, has left them worried.

Dhawan looked totally out of sorts as he failed his account in both the innings of the game. Meanwhile another opener in the likes of KL Rahul looked class apart in both the innings.

Dhawan might be the first choice opener but his technique against the moving ball n overseas conditions has been exposed by the second string Essex bowling attack.

His weakness in overseas conditions is known to everyone and with Rahul breathing down on his neck, Dhawan might have to step aside and give Rahul an opportunity in the opening Test at Edgbaston.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has said in an interview to India TV in June that Kohli should include Rahul in the team instead of Dhawan because of his weakness against moving ball. Ganguly also preferred playing of Hardik Pandya at No. 7 to lend an extra balance to the team.

“KL Rahul and M Vijay should open in Test cricket. Pujara at 3, Kohli at 4, Rahane at 5, Saha at 6, Pandya at 7,” Ganguly had said.

However in present conditions, Wriddhiman Saha is out of the tour because of his injury and Dinesh Karthik would be playing as the wicketkeeper in place of Saha.

If the captain and management selects the team based on ‘current form’, the batting lineup would look one dimensional with top 6 batsmen being right-handed, unless they play a gamble and hand Rishabh Pant his debut cap.