5 reasons why Mayank Agarwal should have replaced Virat Kohli in the 2nd Test

The final twelve-man squad for the second Test against West Indies was released by the Indian team - and one of the most notable omissions was that of Mayank Agarwal. Included in the squad for the series, Mayank warmed the benches for the first game, and saw Prithvi Shaw getting a shot at the top of the order once again.

The 27-year-old has been breaking records for fun in domestic cricket, and should have made it to the playing XI for the second Test based on form, but the management decided to stick to Kohli in the team.

Here are five reasons why the rookie should have been picked ahead of the experienced Kohli:

#1 Time for experimentation

The Indian team, especially under Kohli, prides itself on chopping and changing the team at will, for matches after matches. India achieved a massive win over West Indies in the first game - by an innings and 272 runs, their biggest so far in Tests. The gulf between the two teams is huge and the second Test would have been a perfect chance for India to make use of their reserves and test their bench strength.

Mayank Agarwal, who found a spot in the squad for the first time, could have been one of the few experiments India could have tried, including bringing in Shardul Thakur into the playing XI, who has been on the bench for a few years now.

The second Test would have also given them a chance to unleash Mohammed Siraj in his hometown in order to give the youngster a boost to his career.

#2 Kohli should have been rested for the Test instead of limited-overs

The World Cup is just months away, and the Indian team are looking to sort out their combination ahead of the big tournament. In such a scenario, resting him for the Asia Cup, where he has a chance to gauge the line-ups of different ODI teams from the sub-continent and making him play the second Test against West Indies makes little sense.

There are reports that he might even be rested for the ODIs and T20Is versus West Indies, that follow the Test matches. In such a scenario, making him play the longest format of the game, on Indian pitches against sub-par opposition seems to be doing more harm than good.

#3 Backup options ahead of Australia tour

Shaw played well on his debut and could go to Australia

With the debut that Prithvi Shaw had in the first game, the Indian team might as well send him to Australia for the series later this year - his aggressive game could suit the conditions there.

“He will go to Australia in a couple of months. I am sure he will do well because he is a good back-foot player. You want to see young players doing well,” Sourav Ganguly had recently said.

Mayank Agarwal, if he had been given a chance, could also have been tested as the reserve opener, with the form of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan already dwindling in the longer format.

Even Mayank has a good range of strokes and plays with intent - something that could have given him a chance to make it to the squad in Australia, had he gained experience against Windies.

#4 Reality check for Mayank - where he stands

Mayank Agarwal has been making waves in domestic cricket and has been piling on the runs over the last 12 months. He was the highest run-getter in the domestic circuit this past year, and did well for the Indian team in the Quadrangular A series as well.

However, now that he was drafted into the Test squad for the first time, a debut would have given him a reality check of where he stands, and what he needs to improve in his game in order to succeed at the top-most level.

Even though the opposition is West Indies, the chance of playing international cricket, the nerves and the adjustment that has to be made - Mayank would have got a first-hand experience.

#5 The time is now for Mayank

He has been a hit in the domestic circuit, and has shown his promise even in the IPL. He was playing with confidence against a strong bowling line-up in the A series versus Australia and South Africa A, and is in the form of his life.

At 27, he knows that he is hitting peak form and needs to be incorporated into the team. A debut against West Indies would have been an ideal cushion for him to progress, given their lackluster performances.

The faith shown in Prithvi Shaw should also have been shown in Mayank, who is a confidence player and would have risen to the occasion.