Manjrekar pitches Cheteshwar Pujara to replace Shaw as opener to make his 'life easier'

With Team India eyeing a strong comeback in ongoing Test series against Australia, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has proposed a unique change in batting lineup to counter tough Aussie bowling attack. Manjrekar has suggested that India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara should open innings in Boxing Day Test at MCG 'to make his life easier'. 

Manjrekar's suggestion comes amid ise of Prithvi Shaw being benched after a spree of poor performances. cricketer-turned-commentator has argued that if Pujara opens, re is a better chance of India t losing wicket and also being on top of Opposition early in game. According to reports, Shubman Gill is likely to replace Shaw in MCG Test which will witness Ajinkya Rahane le Indian side after Virat Kohli's departure. 

Considered as modern-day incarnation of Rahul Dravid, Pujara has been India's backbone in Tests and usually bats at number three. Pertinently, in previous Border Gavaskar Trophy, Pujara h led team to historic victory and was also judged as Man of Series. 

RE | Warner, Abbott Won't Play For Australia In 2nd Test Vs India

Kohli hands over duties to Rahane 

Team India skipper Virat Kohli boarded flight home after a chairing a key meet with Men in Blue on Tuesday morning, ANI sources reported. Indian skipper has handed over his duties to his orwise deputy Ajinkya Rahane, who will le team in next three games starting with Boxing Day Test which is set to commence on September 26. Kohli's meeting with team was to boost ir morale and prepare m for rest of series after tragic loss at elaide, sources ded. 

RE | Ajinkya Rahane Is A Bowler's Captain: Ishant Sharma

"Kohli has left Australia today morning. He h a word with whole unit before leaving and idea was to boost confidence of boys and keep m positive. He officially handed over mantle of captaincy to Rahane and asked team to keep showing intent and express mselves on pitch. With Rohit Sharma set to join squ only after second game, Rahane's role becomes all more important in guiding youngsters," ANI quoted sources. 

RE | Legal tice Sent To Restrain BCCI AGM; Probe Against President Ganguly & Secy Shah Sought

Men in Blue have been erly waiting for return of Rohit Sharma which will certainly lift ir spirits. After having recovered from an injury only recently, Mumbai skipper was last to arrive in Australia and is currently under mandatory quarantine as per protocol. He is slated to be available for third and fourth Test subsequently. ANI has also confirmed that board is constantly in touch with Sharma even as he is under quarantine in Sydney. 

Shami ruled out

With Virat Kohli departing from Australia for birth of his first child, Team India have been dealt with ar huge blow as speedster Mohamm Shami has been ruled out of Test series after having suffered a fracture during elaide Test. Team India created an unwanted record after ir humiliating batting performance against Australia in first Test at elaide Oval on Saturday where neir of batsmen even mand to reach double figures and were eventually restricted to 36/9. India have w registered ir lowest score in game's longest format. Apart from Gill, Ravindra Jeja is also in contention to play second Test at MCG. 

RE | Sun-glare Stops Play Between New Zealand & Pakistan In Napier; Netizens Play Blame Game