Sanjay Manjrekar, a former cricketer who is now a commentator, argued that fast bowler Mukesh Kumar should start for India against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Mukesh has gained Manjrekar’s support, Because of his suitability in the conditions in Cape Town. Last year, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, he made his Test debut against the West Indies and took one wicket.
Manjrekar stressed on the importance of having a well-balanced team and cautioned against going with Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna in the same playing eleven. Drawing attention to Mukesh’s ability to perform under difficult circumstances and making tactical recommendations, the 58-year-old said that having the pacer in the lineup may be essential if they want to tie the series in this pivotal match.
“From what we have seen in the first Test, I don’t expect Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna to play together in the second Test. There will definitely be one change. If Ravindra Jadeja is fit, it will strengthen our batting. So, if Mukesh Kumar is bowling well in the nets, he could be brought in. He is more suited to these conditions,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo
India faces an uphill battle as they trail 0-1 in the series following an innings loss in the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Manjrekar stated that despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s first Test disappointment, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are probably going to back him. The veteran expressed optimism for a better pitch in Cape Town and predicted a more evenly matched game.
“Since it is a two-match series, you are sometimes forced to make some changes. However, I don’t think India will make any major changes to their batting lineup. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would have seen how Yashasvi Jaiswal played in the first innings, and they would continue to back him. You cannot change things with the selection when it comes to batting. All you can do is hope that the pitch is a bit easier to bat on,” Manjrekar added.
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