Sanjay Manjrekar Names His Playing XI For 2nd Test, No Room For The In Form All-Rounder

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar revealed his playing XI for the second test at Lords and he made an interesting choice changing the team combination despite the success at Trent Bridge. Manjrekar had no place for Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI which was really strange considering he made a crucial 56 in the first innings.

Manjrekar had always been on the headlines for his views on Ravindra Jadeja as a “bits and pieces” player and was criticized a lot for it. This will be a huge call to drop an in-form batter and include Hanuma Vihari who last played a Test for India in January. India’s team combination of four-seam bowlers and one spinner worked really in the first innings of the first Test.

“I Will Like To Get A Specialist Batsman At No.6” – Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar went in with the same openers of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. He reckoned that he wished to give another chance to Cheteshwar Pujara who was unbeaten on 12 in the second innings.

His number 4 and 5 were the captain and the vice-captain of the team while going in with Hanuma Vihari at number 6 in search of a pure batsman. He added about the tough batting conditions in England and the out-of-form middle order as the reasons for picking Hanuma Vihari.

“Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will be my openers. At No. 3, I will want to play Pujara. We didn’t get to see a lot of his batting in the second innings but I will still want to play him. Then Virat Kohli will be No. 4, Ajinkya Rahane No. 5. A slightly controversial selection because I will like to get a specialist batsman at No.6, some depth in the batting because two or three batsmen are out of form and the ball moves a little as well in England.” Sanjay Manjrekar Told On Sony Sports

Sanjay Manjrekar Feels Ashwin Was Dropped Wrongly In The First Match

Sanjay Manjrekar mentioned that Rishabh Pant coming in at 7 could be more effective and he wanted to bring in R Ashwin in place of Shardul Thakur. He added the off-spinner has the ability to pick up lots of wickets and added that he will pick Siraj ahead of Ishant owing to his fitness and wicket-keeping skills.

“I feel if Rishabh Pant comes at No. 7, he can prove even more dangerous and can play very well with the tail-enders. I am playing Vihari because the last Test match he played, he batted for 2.5 hours to save India.”

“I will like to bring in Ashwin, who I feel was dropped wrongly in the first match. I am bringing a bowler who has greater chances of taking wickets on a good pitch. I will play three seamers – Shami, Bumrah. I don’t know if Ishant is fit but I will go with Siraj because he has the capability to take five wickets,” He added

Vihari and Ashwin had a great partnership in Syndey that saved India from the verge of defeat in Australia’s hands.