Sanjay Manjrekar discusses India’s playing lineup for the Cape Town Test. Thakur was the most costly bowler in the Centurion Test, allowing 101 runs in 19 overs for Dean Elgar’s wicket.
Debutant Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Shardul Thakur had a rough time in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Krishna picked up the wicket of Kyle Verreynne but leaked 93 runs in 20 overs while Thakur was even more expensive, conceding 101 runs in 19 overs for the wicket of Dean Elgar.
Prasidh is likely to be benched for the second and final Test of the series in Cape Town as Mukesh Kumar is waiting in the wings while the BCCI have also added Avesh Khan to the squad. The pacer replaced the injured Mohammed Shami in the squad and is the frontrunner to replace Prasidh, especially after picking up a fifer against South Africa A.
However, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that dropping Prasidh will be a bit harsh as he hits the deck hard. He added that the inclusion of Mukesh would not make the fans unhappy but expects Prasidh to get ample chances.
“It will be a little harsh to drop Prasidh Krishna after one because, if you look at him, he is not somebody who hits the deck hard. He sort of uses his height. Anything that he pitches up is a bit floaty.
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The only ball that has a bit of pace and strength are short balls.
I don’t think very many people will be upset if Mukesh Kumar plays. The new management is concerned about providing Prasidh Krishana a fair run, so they will be observing how he bowls in the nets and determining whether it is fair to him. The squad management from before would have been brutal. With things like this, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were trigger happy. These guys may attempt one more time. However, since the series consists of just two games, they might be eager to make adjustments, Manjrekar said ESPNcricinfo.
Manjrekar also supported Thakur, who had disappointing returns at Centurion, to save his spot for the Cape Town event. Manjrekar gave his batsmanship as the explanation for Shardul’s participation in away Tests, saying that India values it especially in overseas Tests.
“The reason Shadul Thakur plays is that he can bat. Shardul Thakur usually makes the playing XI because India is always a little apprehensive about their batting, as you saw. This makes him particularly effective while playing abroad.”
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