'His absence not a blow': Sanjay Manjrekar disrespects Kuldeep Yadav with 'Jasprit Bumrah' statement

Sanjay Manjrekar has downplayed Kuldeep Yadav's absence for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, suggesting that India can win the much-awaited Test series in Australia without the wrist-spinner with little disruption.

Manjrekar pointed out that Kuldeep Yadav, despite his undeniable talent, has been in and out of India’s lineup so frequently that his unavailability no longer stuns fans and former cricketers.

In contrast, the former Indian cricketer said that the absence of Jasprit Bumrah would be a devastating blow that could severely impact the Indian cricket team’s chances Down Under.

Sanjay Manjrekar downplays Kuldeep Yadav’s absence for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Notably, the Indian selectors decided to sideline Kuldeep for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after his recent groin issues flared up again in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand at home.

They decided to send Kuldeep to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for intensive care, where he will need long-term recovery, leading the selectors to pick only three spinners for the Australia tour.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the mainstays in India’s 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia, while Washington Sundar has been picked to add a fresh dynamic to the spin attack in place of another reliable spin all-rounder, Axar Patel.

However, Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged that Kuldeep’s skill could have been an asset on Australia’s tracks, where his ability to extract turn on flatter surfaces would have posed a unique challenge to the Aussie batters.

Indian cricket team become used to playing without Kuldeep: Manjrekar

But the commentator feels the Indian cricket team has adjusted to Kuldeep’s absence, and his unavailability is simply no longer considered critical to the team’s Test formula.

On the other hand, a missing Jasprit Bumrah, according to Manjrekar, would be a big nightmare, leaving a void that India would struggle to fill in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, starting on November 22 in Perth.

Sanjay Manjrekar said in the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues': “Everyone realizes Kuldeep Yadav's value even more on good pitches. It's a setback for sure, but the interesting thing about Kuldeep Yadav is that he is an extremely capable spinner but plays less for India. So, when he isn't available, it's not a big blow.

In comparison, if Bumrah isn't available, it's a big blow, but it doesn't seem like that with Kuldeep Yadav because Indian cricket has almost gotten slightly used to not playing him or playing without him.”

Sanjay Manjrekar reveals his bowling attack for BGT 2024-25

Sharing his bowling lineup for the Test series, Manjrekar noted: “It's gotten slightly complicated because if you choose three seamers, (Mohammed) Siraj, (Jasprit) Bumrah, and anyone among Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, you feel the seam bowling is not looking that strong. However, you have got three good spin-bowling options.”

The cricket pundit signed off by saying, “Kuldeep Yadav isn't there, but you have Washington Sundar, who performed very well in India, and then experienced bowlers in Ashwin and Jadeja. So even if it's a seam-friendly pitch, I feel India might be tempted to play two spinners. If they have to play four seamers, I think Nitish Reddy will come into the team like Shardul Thakur.”