World Cup 2019: Kaif questions Mayank Agarwal's inclusion in Indian squad

Mohammad Kaif said his only problem with young batsman Mayank Agarwal being called up as replacement for injured Viay Shankar is his ‘lack of matches under his belt’

Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif said his only problem with young batsman Mayank Agarwal being called up as replacement for injured Viay Shankar is his ‘lack of matches under his belt’. The Karnataka opener, 28, who made his Test debut against Australia last year, has not yet played in the ODI format. Agarwal will be joining the Indian team in Leeds on Wednesday, ahead of their WC fixture against Sri Lanka on Saturday. The right-handed batsman was impressive in his debut Test series during India's historic victory in Australia earlier this year, but is yet to make an ODI debut for India. "The only problem I have is whether you're playing regularly or whether you're in touch," said Kaif. The 38-year-old said that the same concern surrounded the selection of Rishabh Pant. "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. Kaif also said that one shouldn't read too much into India's recent loss against hosts England in the ongoing tournament. "They've just lost one game and that's fine. Any team can lose one game. India had a bad day and England played well. They are the tournament favourites, so this kind of performance is expected from them," he said. "India have a balanced side, the players are in form. There are injury concerns and that doesn't help. But I think we have good backups."