IND Vs SA: Sanjay Manjrekar Snubs Ravichandran Ashwin From His Predicted Playing XI

Sanjay Manjrekar predicts that Team India is inclined to opt for only one primary spinner in the starting lineup for the imminent Test series kick-off on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The former cricketer turned commentator favors all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin, despite Ashwin holding the top spot in the ICC Test bowler rankings.

He contends that Jadeja’s remarkable overseas batting performance makes him a superior choice. Notably, Ashwin struggled in India’s South Africa tour in 2021-22, managing just three wickets in six innings. Jadeja missed the Test series due to injury.

“Because it’s not known to be a turning pitch, if it is a rank turner or a pitch that is likely to turn a lot, then maybe India might have two spinners. Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7. I am picking him ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin because of just his batting contributions in foreign Test matches. So, he becomes that one spinner at No. 7.” – Manjrekar said.

Sanjay Manjrekar additionally suggests including Shardul Thakur as the No. 8 batsman, emphasizing the importance of batting depth, especially in the series opener. He highlights Shardul’s excellent bowling performance in India’s previous tour to South Africa.

“Then I am going with Shardul Thakur. In the first Test match, you just want your batting to have some cushion of an extra batter down the order. Plus, let’s not forget that Shardul got seven wickets in the last series in South Africa.”

Why Sanjay Manjrekar Left Out Ravichandran Ashwin

Among the reasons why Sanjay Manjrekar decided to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin from his playing XI was not just the one he told about. He stated that in the 22-year pitch in Centurion, spinners get very little help as there is more for the seamers and that is also why he picked Shardul Thakur.

The other reason why Manjrekar didn’t back Ashwin is due to the Off-Spinner’s record while playing on South African soil. Ashwin has been a part of all of India’s previous 4 tours to South Africa since 2013. In his first match there, Ashwin was not able to take any wicket in all 2 innings in a drawn 1st Test at Johannesburg on 18 December.

In his 2nd Test match at the Rainbow nation 5 years later, Ravi Ashwin returned home with 6 wickets to his name including a 4-wicket spell in the second test at Centurion on January 2018. During the 2021 tour, he took 2 and during the 2022 tour, Ashwin accounted for just 1 wicket.

And Manjrekar would have taken his inconsistency into account while picking his playing XI. But will Rahul Dravid also leave out Ravichandran Ashwin after having a look at his stats in South Africa or back him to start despite tricky conditions at the SuperSports Park Stadium tomorrow?