Mumbai Indians, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav
Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav [Image-BCCI]

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has called it an interesting move to see India go ahead with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav made their much-awaited international debuts in the ongoing second T20I against England in Ahmedabad. Sanjay Manjrekar called Shikhar Dhawan’s axing a little harsh but also lauded India’s braveness.

Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan had not only performed incredibly well in IPL over the years but also in the domestic circuit. The two young batsmen were integral to Mumbai Indians’ success in IPL 2020, mustering over 900 runs between them. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan’s failure in the first T20I and India’s underwhelming batting show led them to make changes.

Shikhar Dhawan, 5 Indian Players Who Should Now Retire From The T20 Format
Shikhar Dhawan. Image Credits: BCCI

Sanjay Manjrekar agrees that it was unfair on Shikhar Dhawan to get only one game and reckons that Virat Kohli expects his players to bounce back brightly. The cricketer-turned-commentator also feels that players are getting used to the trend, if that exists. Simultaneously, Manjrekar placed Shikhar Dhawan below KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma in T20 internationals even as the southpaw had a productive IPL 2020.

“It’s a little unfair that Shikhar Dhawan got only one game. I don’t know what India’s long-term plans are for him, but I don’t think Virat Kohli cares about giving players a long run and expects players to recover after being dropped for a game and come back and be at their best. Temperamentally, I think players are getting used to this fashion. Although Shikhar Dhawan had a great IPL, I would rank him below KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma in T20 internationals,” Manjrekar told ESPN Cricinfo.

Nice to see Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav go for India: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar. Image-BCCI.

Sanjay Manjrekar underlined that he thought Shikhar Dhawan might get 2-3 more chances to claim his spot as an opening batsman. At present, the 55-year old anticipates that India are looking at as many options to try since they have five T20Is at hand. He felt delighted to see young talents at the heights of their powers to get a go or earn the nod.

“So, once they played him, I thought he would get 2-3 games to have a claim on the opening slot. Now that he’s gone, it’s interesting how they are thinking, maybe not thinking too much, just looking at all the options possible since they have got five T20Is and trying to make the most of it. But always great to see a young talent at the top of his form and confidence; maybe Dhawan is a little unlucky; however, from Indian cricket’s point of view, nice to see Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav go for India,” he added.

Also Read: Watch: Ishan Kishan And Suryakumar Yadav Receive Their Maiden Team India Caps

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