03 July,2019 08:57 AM IST | | IANS
Mayank Agarwal
New Delhi: Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif said yesterday that his only problem with Mayank Agarwal being called up as a replacement for the injured Vijay Shankar for the ongoing World Cup is the lack of matches the Karnataka batsman has under his belt.
"The only problem I have is whether you're playing regularly or whether you're in touch," said Kaif.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Major League Baseball event here, Kaif said that the same concern surrounded the selection of Rishabh Pant.
ALSO READ
"Indian team will benefit from what Gambhir is going to bring to table": Dravid
IND vs BAN 1st Test: Ashwin smashes century, IND reaches 339 at stumps on Day 1
Marsh feels this Australian is about to become one of the greatest ODI players
"I always back the underdogs": Ravichandran Ashwin praises BAN's triumph PAK
India look to spin a new yarn, can Bangladesh be the uninvited critic?
"You have to see how many matches they have played regularly and whether they are in touch. It's the same with Pant... He was last involved in a pressure game in May. Since then he has been part of only practice sessions in the UK.
That is the only problem... They won't be in touch with the conditions so much," said Kaif.
Meanwhile, Agarwal will join Team India in Leeds today, BCCI confirmed this development in a statement yesterday.
Mayank made his Test debut last December against Australia, but is yet to make his bow in the 50-over format. In List-A cricket for Karnataka, the 28-year-old has played 75 games since making his debut in 2012, scoring 3,605 runs at an average of 48.71.
India will play their final group stage match against Sri Lanka at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday.
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
