IND vs SA: India Needs Spinners Who Can Be Game-Changers - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the only way India can restrict opponents to under 300 is by having spinners who can attack and get wickets in the middle overs.

India’s bowling attack has come under scrutiny in recent times in the 50-over format. Their inability to pick wickets has cost the team many matches and couple that with a poor middle order, there is a lot of room for improvement before heading to next year’s World Cup.

“All it needs is a concept that got India to win a lot of 50-over matches when Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were together getting wickets in the middle. Not saying the same kind of bowlers but India needs spinners who can be game-changers,” Manjrekar told in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

“Don’t think Jayant Yadav or Jadeja are game-changers” – Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar reckoned that neither Jayant nor Jadeja can have the same impact with the ball as they are generally defensive. However, India is very reliant on picking up wickets in the middle overs as their death bowling is weak apart from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah.

“We’ll have to wait and see if Chahal still has it in him. Don’t think Jayant Yadav or Jadeja are game-changers in the middle. They need guys who can get you 3-4 wickets in the middle and completely change the course of the match,” Manjrekar added.

India also lacks part-time spinners which has hurt them on many occasions. In the third ODI against South Africa, Shreyas Iyer tried his hand and bowled three overs, and conceded 21 runs.

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