As India look to salvage some pride in the dead-rubber against South Africa, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested a couple of changes in the playing XI. Incidentally, the men in blues have already lost the three-match one-dayers, losing the first two games in Paarl.
The visitors looked miles away from their usual best in their first series since Virat Kohli was sacked as ODI captain. The bowling department lacked the bite as South Africa mustered runs easily while the middle-order woes continues to haunt India.
Ahead of the final game of the tour, Sanjay Manjrekar backed Suryakumar Yadav to slot into the playing XI. The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that Shikhar Dhawan should be rested and Venkatesh Iyer should be pushed to the top-order to slot Suryakumar in the middle-order.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, the veteran said:
“In batting, Suryakumar Yadav should be included. We’ve seen Shikhar Dhawan, he’s a ready-made option for big matches and has shown good form too. So you can rest him and open with Venkatesh Iyer to fit Suryakumar Yadav in the middle-order. Deepak Chahar should come in place for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I saw him in Sri Lanka, he bowled really well so you should test him.”
Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also had a disastrous series so far. He has gone wicketless shelling more than 6 runs per over.
Prasidh Krishna or Mohammad Siraj could be tried in place of Jasprit Bumrah – Sanjay Manjrekar
The 56-year-old further stated that ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah can be rested to give an opportunity to young pacer Prasidh Krishna or Mohammad Siraj.
“If you want to give Jasprit Bumrah some rest then you can look towards Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. And Jayant Yadav in place of Ashwin. There will be a comparison between Ashwin and Jayant Yadav’s 10 overs but Jayant Yadav will also bring some batting”, he added.
It remains to be seen whether the management makes any changes to the playing XI for the final ODI of the series.
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