Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has revealed his playing XI of India for the second Test against England which will be played at Lord’s. Notably, Manjrekar has not included Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI who smashed a brilliant fifty in the match.
Notably, Ravindra Jadeja was picked over Ravichandran Ashwin in the first Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Meanwhile, Jadeja came to bat at number seven and delivered the amazing 56 runs. However, with the ball, he got no support from the surface and he went wicketless. Notably, all the wickets in the match were picked by pacers.
Good game for us but an unfortunate ending 🇮🇳 See you soon at the #homeofcricket 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/bQPwJ7CImy
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) August 8, 2021
However, One more major name was missing from his playing XI. Pacer Shardul Thakur was not included in the playing XI of Sanjay Manjrekar. Notably, Shardul Thakur had a good outing in the first Test as he managed to get a total of 4 wickets in his bag.
While talking with Sony Sports Manjrekar added Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Cheteshwar Pujara in the top order.
“Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will be my openers. At No. 3, I will want to play Pujara. We didn’t get to see a lot of his batting in the second innings but I will still want to play him,” he said.
I will like to get a specialist batsman at No.6, some depth in the batting: Sanjay Manjrekar
Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar kept Indian captain and vice-captain at no.4 and 5 . Also he made a controversial choice by adding a specialist batsman on number 6. He asserted:
“Then Virat Kohli will be No. 4, Ajinkya Rahane No. 5. A slightly controversial selection because I will like to get a specialist batsman at No.6, some depth in the batting because two or three batsmen are out of form and the ball moves a little as well in England.”
Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar, included Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad, as he felt he was dropped wrongly in the first Test. Former Indian cricketer asserted:
“I will like to bring in Ashwin, who I feel was dropped wrongly in the first match. I am bringing a bowler who has greater chances of taking wickets on a good pitch and will play three seamers – Shami, Bumrah. No idea if Ishant is fit but I will go with Siraj because he has the capability to take five wickets.”
Sanjay Manjrekar Playing XI for Lord’s Test: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
