Sanjay Manjrekar Picks His India XI For 1st ODI vs South Africa, Wants Venkatesh Iyer To Open

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has picked his India playing XI for the first One Day Internationals of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa. Also, he has picked all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer as an opener in the team.

India have lost the three-match Test series against South Africa by 1-2 and now the KL Rahul-led India will be eyeing winning the three-match One Day Internationals series.

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The three-match One Day Internationals (ODI) series will begin from January 19, 2022, at Boland Park, Paarl. The second One Day Internationals will be played at Boland Park, Paarl on January 21, 2022, and the third and final One Day Internationals will be played on January 23, 2022, at the Newlands, Cape Town

It’s Something Special About Him When He Opens The Innings – Sanjay Manjrekar On Venkatesh Iyer

Manjrekar while naming his India playing XI for the first ODI on ESPNcricinfo, picked Venkatesh Iyer over Shikhar Dhawan and he wanted the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder to open the innings with skipper KL Rahul. He said:

“My main obsession was fitting that 6th bowling option and that’s where Venkatesh Iyer comes into my plans. And if Venkatesh Iyer is going to be in the team, might as well open with him because it’s something special about him when he opens the innings. So just to put pressure on the opposition have Venkatesh Iyer. Rest Shikhar Dhawan for maybe this match.”

Also, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was not a part of Sanjay Manjrekar’s playing XI for the first ODI match as he picked Jayant Yadav and, Yuzvendra Chahal, as his two spinners.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s India Playing XI for the first ODI vs South Africa:

KL Rahul, Venkatesh Iyer, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Jayant Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Also Read: IND vs SA Live Streaming Details- When And Where To Watch India vs South Africa In Your Country? India’s Tour Of South Africa 2021-22, 1st ODI

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