Sanjay Manjrekar predicts that Team India is inclined to opt for just one core player in the starting lineup for the impending start of the Test series on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The former cricketer-turned-commentator prefers all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja over Ravichandran Ashwin, even though Ashwin is ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test bowler rankings.
He maintains that Jadeja’s notable batting performance abroad makes him a superior option. Notably, Ashwin struggled on India’s tour of South Africa in 2021-22, managing just three wickets in six innings. Jadeja missed the Test series due to injury.
“Because it is not known to be a spinner, if it is a range pitch or a pitch that is likely to change a lot, then maybe India could have two spinners. Ravindra Jadeja at number 7. I pick him ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin just because of his batting contributions in overseas test matches. So, he becomes that number 7 spinner.” – said Manjrekar.
Sanjay Manjrekar also suggests including Shardul Thakur as the number 8 batsman, emphasizing the importance of batting depth, especially in the series opener. He highlights Shardul’s excellent bowling performance in India’s previous tour to South Africa.
“Then I will go to Shardul Thakur. In the first Test match, you just want your batting to have the protection of an extra batsman in the order. Also, let us not forget that Shardul got seven wickets in the last series in South Africa.”
Why Sanjay Manjrekar left out Ravichandran Ashwin
Among the reasons why Sanjay Manjrekar decided to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin from his XI was not just the one he mentioned. He said that in the 22nd bowling at Centurion, the spinners get very little help as there is more for the seamers and that is why he also chose Shardul Thakur.
The other reason why Manjrekar did not back Ashwin is due to the Off-Spinner’s track record while playing on South African soil. Ashwin has been part of India’s four previous tours to South Africa since 2013. In his first match there, Ashwin failed to take any wickets in both innings in a drawn first Test in Johannesburg on December 18.
In his second test match in the Rainbow nation 5 years later, Ravi Ashwin returned home with 6 wickets to his name, including a 4-wicket spell in the second test at Centurion in January 2018. During the 2021 tour, he took 2 and during the 2022 tour, Ashwin accounted for only 1 wicket.
And Manjrekar would have taken his inconsistency into account while choosing his playing XI. But will Rahul Dravid also leave out Ravichandran Ashwin after taking a look at his stats in South Africa or will he back him to start despite the difficult conditions at the SuperSports Park stadium tomorrow?