Sanjay Manjrekar recently stated that KL Rahul may not have been included for India’s T20I team against South Africa due to the presence of more interesting shortest-format players.
Three Twenty20 Internationals will pit the Men in Blue against the Proteas, with the opening match scheduled for Sunday, December 10, at Durban. Leading the 17-man T20I team will be Suryakumar Yadav, since the most of seniors are either rested or unavailable.
Sanjay Manjrekar was asked about Rahul’s omission from India’s T20I team during a conversation on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan,’ to which he responded:
“Basically what’s happened is KL Rahul’s performances in the major T20 matches, the T20 World Cup for example, they have realised that they have got more exciting options than KL Rahul in T20 cricket.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
However, the former India cricketer stated that the wicketkeeper-batter was well-chosen for the ODI and Test squads:
“However, I thought he was superb in the 50-over World Cup, so he is back there, and in Test matches, obviously an option as a keeper as well. So, I think at the moment, slightly out of favour with the selectors when it comes to T20 cricket.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Beginning on December 17, Rahul will lead the Men in Blue in the three-match ODI series. In addition, he and Ishan Kishan are the two wicketkeepers in the Indian team for the two-match Test series.
Suryakumar Yadav comfortable in T20 format: Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar shared his thoughts on Suryakumar Yadav captaining a youthful T20I squad in South Africa. He said:
“He will manage because it seems like Suryakumar Yadav finds himself in a comfort zone when it comes to T20 cricket as a player and a captain, and we saw recently how he played as a captain and a player.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Suryakumar’s exploits as a batter, according to Manjrekar, will strengthen his cause as a captain:
“So I don’t think he will have any problems and with the sort of pitches that are there in South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav the batter will make the biggest contribution for Suryakumar Yadav the captain.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Suryakumar Yadav has hammered 187 runs in four T20I innings against the Proteas at an incredible strike rate of 185.14.
He has, however, never played a T20I in the Rainbow Nation, with his 68-run knock in the 2022 T20 World Cup clash in Perth being his sole encounter with them outside of India.
