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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Should Rohit replace Kohli for fifth Test? Select team

Should Rohit replace Kohli for fifth Test? Select team

August 11, 2014 14:55 IST
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India's batting is a major concern going into the fifth and final Test against England, starting at the Oval in London on Friday, following their poor showing in both innings of the fourth match at Old Trafford.

England took a 2-1 lead after an innings and 54 runs victory in the third Test at Southampton and look favourites going into the concluding match of the series.

Virat KohliMahendra Singh Dhoni's team struggled with the bat in both innings in Manchester, putting up meagre totals of 152 and 161 while not even lasting a total of 90 overs in the game. Their major problem is at the top of the order, the openers, No. 3 and No. 4 batsmen unable to get going and put up substantial scores.

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Opener Shikhar Dhawan made way for Gautam Gambhir in the fourth Test after a poor run with the bat in the first three matches, but even the experienced left-hander failed to make an impact.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli too have both struggled for runs, leaving the team in deep trouble.

After batting in eight innings over the first four Tests, Pujara has an average of 25.87, with just one half century, while Kohli has a dismal average of 13.50 and a highest score of just 39. Their poor show has certainly let slip India's advantage of winning the second Test at Lord's.

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In the wake of the non-performance of the above-mentioned batsmen, should Pujara and/or Kohli be dropped for the fifth Test?

Should Rohit Sharma, who played in the third Test, be given another chance to prove his credentials at the Test level?

Should Stuart Binny return to the side in place of Ravindra Jadeja?

Be the selector, pick your team for the fifth Test.

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