India vs England 2021: Kuldeep Yadav Brings The Mystery Element For India - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India batsman, Sanjay Manjrekar is in full support of the management’s decision to bring Kuldeep Yadav in the playing eleven for the second Test match against England, even if it meant that Washington Sundar, who scored a brilliant unbeaten 85 in the first Test, had to be dropped.

Virat Kohli won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat first; he made three changes to the line-up which conceded a 227-run loss a few days ago. Axar Patel was concluded fit and hence replaced Shahbaz Nadeem.

With Axar giving the batting depth, Washington Sundar was dropped after going wicketless in the first Test, and hence paved the way for Kuldeep Yadav to return to the playing eleven after two years. Jasprit Bumrah is given a rest and Mohammed Siraj comes in.

Sanjay Manjrekar was pleased with the chinaman being included as he brings a mystery element which the English batters haven’t faced much of. The 55-year-old opines that what Kuldeep will do with the flight in the ball is bring the England batsmen forward, bringing the close-in fielders into play – otherwise, they were played plenty on the backfoot to the three Indian off-spinners in the first Test match.

“The advantage of having Kuldeep Yadav is that a lot of England batsmen were playing Indian spinners on the backfoot, which is a very impressive thing I saw in the first Test. But with Kuldeep Yadav, they may not be that comfortable or certain about what is coming from the hands. So, the mystery element works for India with Kuldeep Yadav,” Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

A little unfortunate for Washington Sundar: Sanjay Manjrekar

The cricketer-turned-commentator also feels for Sundar, who had to be dropped despite a fighting fifty and brilliant all-round performance in his debut Test in Australia. Sanjay Manjrekar asserts that this has been the way Virat Kohli has captained the side – chopping and changing frequently after one bad performance instead of having faith in his players and giving them a longer rope.

“A little unfortunate that Washington Sundar missed out because of what he has done in the limited opportunities that he has been given. This is how Virat Kohli goes about his business. He looks to chop and change personnel rather than change tactics or play the same people to bowl differently,” the former batsman added.

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