Of late, India is having a big headache among the selection of MS Dhoni, Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. Somehow, they are finding a place for all of them in the playing XI in T20I format in order to find out the best two for the ICC World Cup 2019. Meanwhile, Sanjay Mankrekar wants to rest MS Dhoni for the T20I game against Australia.
The upcoming series is the best chance for Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik to show their worth for the team. They would like to prove a point and make themselves press their case for the ICC World Cup 2019. In between, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confirmed to play in the grand event.
A few spots are still open – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking of the same, Sanjay Manjrekar felt that resting MS Dhoni from Playing XI will give a chance to test Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik for the team. Apart from that, the Indian team can also embed KL Rahul into the batting department.
Manjrekar also highlighted the fact that Mahendra Singh Dhoni will certainly be in the squad for the major event. He also wants to have a look at the alternative spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and someone like Mayank Markande, who can be the wild card entries for the world cup.
“Considering that MS Dhoni is now a certainty for the World Cup, it is worthwhile having a look at someone like Pant again, create healthy competition. A little bit of relaxed kind of approach because this is T20s and preparation for the 50-over World Cup cannot really be based on T20 performances. I guess it will still be in the minds of the selectors,” Manjrekar said.
“A few spots still are open – people like Rishabh Pant coming in contention, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja as the spin alternative and Markande as well as – who India can try like a wild card entry into the World Cup squad,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
However, it would be interesting to see whether the team management would rest MS Dhoni or not. It is obvious that they will be open for a few changes in the side in order to check their bench strength ahead of the tournament.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s playing XI for 1st T20I:
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar/Krunal Pandya, Mayank Markhande, Yuzvendra Chahal, Siddharth Kaul, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
