IND vs SA: India Has The Luxury Of Having Three World Class Seam Bowlers: Sanjay Manjrekar On India's Overseas Test Success

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar credited India’s three-pronged pace attack strategy for their success in overseas Test wins.

Team India is boasted by the services of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma as they form a formidable seam bowling attack together.

In India’s tour of Australia, the team found a talented bowler in the name of Mohammed Siraj, who bagged a five-for in the memorable Brisbane Test against Australia. Siraj has been supporting Bumrah and Shami in decimating the opposition batters since the time he announced himself in Down Under.

India’s pace department was the main reason for taking 20 wickets against Australia in the first three Tests of their 2018/19 tour when for the first time they defeated the Aussies in their own backyard.

It has had a huge impact in overseas conditions: Sanjay Manjrekar on Indian pace attack

Manjrekar said that the emergence of Indian pacers in overseas conditions has made a huge impact on the Indian side and he also cited the example of Pakistan’s success with their pace battery.

“One thing that has changed in recent 5-6 years for the Indian team, which has been a rare instance for India. India’s overseas success comes because India now has the luxury of having three world-class seam bowlers. It has had a huge impact,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

“If you look at the history of Test cricket, earlier when Pakistan used to win outside their country, they too had 3 world-class seamers. And now India finds itself in the same condition. These are good signs for Indian cricket,” he added.

The team management is backing Ajinkya Rahane: Sanjay Manjrekar

Ajinkya Rahane, who has been under the scanner in his critics’ eyes for a long time, scored 48 runs against South Africa in the first innings of the first Test.

Manjrekar accepted the fact that Rahane will have the pressure to keep his position in the team and also said that selectors should look at other players like Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari.

“The team management is backing Rahane. India have won the first Test, and Rahane scored 48 runs in the first innings as well. So he might get another shot. But they should also think about Vihari and Shreyas Iyer. The more chances Rahane gets, the fewer chances the other guys will have. So this needs to be discussed,” Manjrekar said.

“Pujara and Kohli’s form is understandable and they will get opportunities. But Rahane’s poor form has been going on for some time now. So there’ll be pressure on Rahane to keep his place in the side,” he added.

India will play against South Africa in the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, the match stats on Monday.

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