IPL 2021: Not Huge Supporter Of Ajinkya Rahane In T20s; Pushing Marcus Stoinis Up The Batting Order A Good Solution For Delhi Capitals, Says Sanjay Manjrekar

Ajinkya Rahane is an experienced Indian cricketer and crucial member of the Delhi Capitals (DC) squad, but former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Delhi Capitals should keep him as a last resort. Sanjay Manjrekar, who is also an active commentator, pointed out that Rahane’s temperament is suited to Test cricket.

Delhi Capitals are short of Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2021 who has been ruled out due to injury. As a result, the team needs to have a dominant batsman at the no.3 spot during the tournament. Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, and Marcus Stoinis are some well-known batsmen in the squad and one of these is expected to fill this batting slot for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021.

Not Huge Supporter Of Ajinkya Rahane In T20s: Sanjay Manjrekar

While speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said that he is not a huge supporter of Ajinkya Rahane in the T20s. He feels that it will be better to send Marcus Stoinis up the batting order.

“I am not a huge supporter of Ajinkya Rahane in T20s because I have seen him for a long time. His natural temperament is suited to Test cricket. One needs a lot of confidence and belief to hit fours and sixes with the get-go in T20s.

“Ajinkya Rahane’s temperament and self-confidence aren’t quite there for the last 3-4 years. So I will look towards a different solution for it by pushing Marcus Stoinis [ahead in the batting order]. And I will only keep Ajinkya Rahane as the last resort,” said Sanjay Manjrekar.

Rahane, who is also the vice-captain of the Indian Test team, has been regarded as a Test specialist. In IPL 2020, He only scored 113 runs in 8 innings for Delhi Capitals at an average of 14.12. His low strike rate while batting also becomes a challenge for the team in T20 format like in the Indian Premier League.

Steve Smith Perfect Solution For Delhi Capitals No.3 Spot, Feels Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar, who played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs for India, also suggested that in the absence of overseas players like Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, Steve Smith can be a good option for Delhi Capitals at the no.3 batting position in the first match.

“This is one advantage that comes with Rabada and Nortje’s unavailability because overseas slots are now open suddenly. And if you see Delhi Capitals’ batting lineup, the flamboyance there is a bit too much. Here Steve Smith’s steadiness will be helpful.

“I feel he will be the perfect solution to their No. 3 spot. But, when Rabada and Nortje come back, Steve Smith will be difficult to fit in this lineup,” Sanjay Manjrekar said.

South African pacers Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada are serving a 7-day quarantine period and will not be available for Delhi Capitals’ first game against Chennai Super Kings. The match is slated to be played on Saturday (April 10) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In the absence of Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant is set to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021.