Sanjay Manjrekar says Team India should consider playing Shreyas Iyer at No. 3 in the series’ last must-win T20I against South Africa.
Shreyas was not named to the playing XI for the second T20I. Tilak Varma batted at No. 3 in the game, getting 29 runs off 20 balls. Majrekar, on the other hand, believes Varma isn’t among the top candidates for that berth on the route to the 2024 T20 World Cup.
In response to India’s five-wicket loss (DLS) to South Africa in Tuesday’s second Twenty20 International, Manjrekar informed ESPNcricinfo:
“Personally, I would like to see Shreyas Iyer at No. 3. Tilak Varma—I don’t know how viable he’s going to be a No. 3 in the long run. So, might as well have a look at Shreyas Iyer because there’s going to be another option for a No. 3 later on.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
India got off to a bad start with the bat as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were out for ducks. Manjrekar believes the team’s management will want to give both young hitters another chance.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, a former cricketer turned broadcaster, remarked that he does not anticipate him to replace Jaiswal or Gill in the third T20I.
“Considering that both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal got out early, I am sure they’ll get another match. That’s how the team management has always thought about giving a decent run to any player. I know there is just one match left, but I’ll be surprised to see Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar also underlined the need of putting leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi through his paces in South Africa, saying:
“With Kuldeep Yadav, you know what to expect. So maybe Bishnoi to see how he stands up to more scrutiny and challenging conditions like we had when they bowled second.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after chasing down the amended 152-run mark (15 overs) with five wickets in hand. The first game was rained out before a ball was bowled.
“I see Hardik Pandya having more of a chance of captaining” – Sanjay Manjrekar on possibility of Rohit Sharma leading India at the 2024 T20 World Cup rewrite heading
Sanjay Manjrekar shared a prediction. If India had to pick between Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma to captain in the 2024 T20I World Cup, Hardik may be chosen. Rohit is an exceptional batter though.
However, he did mention an alternative. If Hardik couldn’t do it, maybe Rohit gets the job. Instead of Suryakumar Yadav, that is. Yadav’s captained in T20I series against Australia and South Africa.
“Who knows how the selectors or the team management are thinking, but I see Hardik Pandya having more of a chance of captaining and playing if there is a tossup between him and Rohit Sharma. With Suryakumar Yadav, I think Rohit Sharma will be preferred.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted on the significance of selecting a squad for the showcase event based on form:
“Having said that, come the time to pick your T20 World Cup team, it is very important you pick a team on form and look at the most exciting option at every position in that Indian T20 team, starting with the captain.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
On Thursday, December 14, South Africa and India will play the third Twenty20 International match of their series at Johannesburg’s New Wanderers Stadium.