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Sanjay Manjrekar predicts that Team India is likely to stick with just one primary spinner in the playing XI for the upcoming Test series opener, starting on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
No Place For R Ashwin In Sanjay Manjrekar’s Playing XI For 1st IND vs SA Test
The former cricketer-turned-commentator favors all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin, even though Ashwin holds the No. 1 rank in the ICC Test bowler rankings. Manjrekar argues that Jadeja would be a better choice, considering his impressive batting performance in overseas Tests.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said: “Because it’s not known to be a turning pitch, if it is a rank turner or a pitch that is likely to turn a lot, then maybe India might have two spinners.”
He added: “Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7. I am picking him ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin because of just his batting contributions in foreign Test matches. So, he becomes that one spinner at No. 7.”
Sanjay Manjrekar further stated that India should go with Shardul Thakur as their No. 8 in the batting order. He opined that it is crucial to have depth in the batting order, especially for the first Test of the series. Manjrekar also pointed out how Shardul did a wonderful job with the ball during India’s previous visit to the Rainbow Nation. He added:
“Then I am going with Shardul Thakur. In the first Test match, you just want your batting to have some cushion of an extra batter down the order. Plus, let’s not forget that Shardul got seven wickets in the last series in South Africa.”
Shardul took 11 wickets from six innings during the 2021-22 tour, which included a remarkable seven-wicket haul in the second Test.
Preps in full swing for the Boxing Day Test 🙌#TeamIndia sharpen their fielding skills ahead of the first #SAvIND Test tomorrow in Centurion 👌👌 pic.twitter.com/SftEN2kDED
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2023
Sanjay Manjrekar’s XI For 1st IND vs SA Test:
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar.
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