Ajit Agarkar, the former India pacer, wants the Indian team to bring back Suryakumar Yadav into the playing XI if he is deemed fit to return. The right-handed batter missed the contest against New Zealand due to back spasms.

Suryakumar Yadav was seen during India’s optional training session with assistant strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai. Physio Nitin Patel and strength and conditioning coach Nick Webb are keeping a close eye on Suryakumar Yadav’s road to recovery.

Ajit Agarkar: Suryakumar Yadav Comes In Against Afghanistan If He’s Fit

Ajit Agarkar felt that with the return of Suryakumar Yadav in the playing XI, Rohit Sharma can go back at the top of the order alongside KL Rahul. In India’s match against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma had dropped at number 3, as Ishan Kishan, who replaced Suryakumar Yadav, opened the innings.

While previewing India’s upcoming group stage match against Afghanistan, Ajit Agarkar said Rohit Sharma would open. At the same time, India may not tinker with Hardik Pandya’s batting position, but his form is definitely a concern.

“Suryakumar Yadav if he is fit, comes in for me. Rohit goes to open the innings. Pandya’s form is certainly a concern, but if you’ve backed him for 2 games, then you don’t want to tinker too much. He also bowled a couple of overs in the last game, so that helps.”

Ajit Agarkar also felt that a change in mindset would help India. Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion will definitely strengthen India’s fragile middle order. He scored 11 against Pakistan and unbeaten 38 and 8 in warm-up games prior to the match against arch-rivals but has scored heavily in IPL and bilateral series against England at home.

“India would just look to bat better. change in venue, I don’t know about that but a change of mindset definitely would.”

Pakistan batter Shan Masood, however, felt that India should look to exploit the seam-friendly conditions in Abu Dhabi. He feels India can look to go with four pacers in the playing XI.

“Abu Dhabi has the most seam friendly conditions out of all the venues. India could play an additional pacer and rest one spinner against an Afghanistan team that plays spin well. That might be the only change that’s on offer, other wise it should be the same team.”

India’s fate could well be sealed by a defeat to Afghanistan, while a potential win could keep their slim hopes of qualifying into the semi-finals intact. India was handed crushing defeats by Pakistan (10 wickets) and New Zealand (8 wickets) and is yet to open its account. They need to win their remaining three encounters against Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia and hope for other results to go their way to qualify for the knockout stages.

Ajit Agarkar Feels Indian Batsmen Shouldn’t Take Unnecessary Ricks Against Afghan Leg Spinner Rashid Khan

Ajit Agarkar noted that taking risks against Rashid Khan could prove to be futile and that India should focus on getting runs off the rest of the bowling attack. The leg-spinner has been in fine form while the Indian batsmen have fared horribly against spin so far in the World Cup.

“You have to look at the situation. Very few batsman successfully manage to attack Rashid Khan. If you are getting enough runs against the rest of the bowling attack, no need to take unnecessary risks against Rashid.”, Ajit Agarkar elaborated.

Shan Masood also concluded by stating that India should be careful with Rashid Khan, given the fact of how consistent he is. The fastest to 100 wickets in 53 T20Is, leg spinner Rashid Khan single-handedly tested Pakistan with his leg-spin before an Asif Ali cameo saw Pakistan win. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a mystery spinner who has nearly all the variations, returned his career-best T20I figures of 5-20 in his team’s 130-run rout of Scotland.

“Very rare to see Rashid have an off day, so India naturally should be careful.”

India will see a shift in venues for the first time in their campaign after having played their first two contests in Dubai. The Men In Blue will take on Afghanistan in a do-or-die encounter on November 3. After that, they will return to Dubai to compete in their final two group matches against Namibia and Scotland.