Sanjay Manjrekar has an opinion. He thinks Rohit Sharma, the head of Team India, played strategically weak in the Boxing Day Test. The match was against South Africa in Centurion. It ended in India’s defeat, by an innings and 32 runs, on Day 3 (Thursday).
Specifically, he mentioned a mistake. Rohit Sharma had chosen Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur. They bowled together, before the lead pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, began the second session of Day 2. Manjrekar suggested it was an error.
Sanjay Manjrekar went further on this during his talk with ESPNcricinfo. He analyzed Rohit’s captaincy during this game:
“I think there was a certain amount of underestimation of the South African batting after India got 245. But yes, it wasn’t one of Rohit Sharma’s best days or Test matches as captain. That was a blunder (starting with Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna after Lunch). These are the moments that you have to cash in. That was a huge mistake.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
The former cricket player turned pundit also emphasized that when the Indian bowlers were experimenting rather than following a strategy, Rohit Sharma did not step in.
“Plus, the bowling plans as well, not just the bowling changes. I was just amazed by what the Indian bowlers kept trying almost throughout the Test match. You had an instance of Marco Jansen getting the outside edge and the ball just falling short of KL Rahul. After that, there were a couple of deliveries in that same region, and then there was the bouncer, and then there was a full-length delivery, and then something going down the leg side. That was unexpected and that is somewhere where the captain could come in and say,’ Guys, time running now, let’s stick to discipline.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
India scored 245 in their first innings, but South Africa responded with an astounding 408 runs. The Men in Blue were bundled out for 145 in the second essay, which culminated to a sad loss.
“His defense needs to get a little more tight” – Sanjay Manjrekar on Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, the third-ranked player for Team India, finished the Boxing Day Test against South Africa with scores of 02 and 26, failing to score much in either innings.
The gifted batter’s vulnerability was identified by Sanjay Manjrekar, who suggested that he should focus on improving his defense.
“Shubman Gill’s defense is getting breached a bit too often. It happened in the World Cup final as well in an ODI match on an Indian pitch. So, his defense needs to get a little more tight to the balls pitched up.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
The 58-year-old stated that Shreyas Iyer needs to solve a lot more difficulties, but Gill should focus on improving his defense.
“Amongst the three (young batters), Shreyas Iyer has the most work to do on his defensive technique. He does not just have one issue of defense; there are few that he needs to correct. And one thing in Test matches, you cannot counterattack, hit a few boundaries and put a bowler off because he does not have a limit on how many overs he can bowl.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Shreyas Iyer scored 31 runs in the first inning to get off to a respectable start. He only scored six runs in the second inning, though.