Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that the team management should drop Nitish Kumar Reddy for the upcoming Test match against Australia. Sanjay Manjrekar said that India could improve their balance by picking Ravindra Jadeja as a batting all-rounder for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set to begin on Thursday, December 26. With the five-match Test series tied at 1-1, all eyes will be on India’s playing XI, especially their batting order. Reports suggest India could alter their combination for the game.
Ravindra Jadeja Looked One of India’s Best Batters So Far – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted that Ravindra Jadeja’s batting performance in the last Test match was impressive. Manjrekar said that India would have better depth in their batting order with Jadeja at No. 7. He added that this would give them the option to pick four wicket-taking bowlers.
“So at number seven, play Jadeja as a batting all-rounder. Jadeja’s batting in the last test, the way he batted, he actually looked one of India’s best batters so far in the series. It’s not about getting runs, just how he started off. He had a typical test match fashion and took his time,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
“So clearly at this stage in Australian conditions, if India look at Jadeja as a batting all-rounder, I guess then, the balance is changed. So you’ll have him batting at number seven and that’s pretty good depth to have. And then you can pick your four bowlers, whether it’s three seamers or one more spinner or four out-and-out genuine seam bowlers or bowlers. And then you have Jadeja as the fifth bowling option. There’s a solution.”
They Didn’t Have Somebody Like a Nitish Kumar Reddy – Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar doubted whether Nitish Kumar Reddy could consistently deliver big scores at No. 8. Manjrekar also pointed out that India’s past series victories in Australia were achieved without a player like Reddy. He added that it’s a bit too early to think of him as a batting all-rounder.
“There is no doubting the potential this guy has and how brilliantly he’s played. But can we get a hundred and twenty from somebody who bats at number eight? And it’s clearly not at this stage a bowler will get a seven-wicket haul like a Shardul Thakur did. And let’s not forget the last two series wins that India had in Australia, they didn’t have somebody like a Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“So at the moment, Nitish Kumar Reddy helps you recover from a bad start. He bats at number eight, gets you 40. But is he at this stage good enough to be pushed up the order and played as a pure batter and drop somebody out of form? And then you can get a special bowler. His bowling at this stage is not good enough for him to play as a bowling all-rounder and maybe batting. It’s a bit too early to think of him as a batting all-rounder.”
Washington Sundar Might Replace Nitish Kumar Reddy in Playing XI
Team India is considering a two-spinner combination for the Boxing Day Test. Washington Sundar could partner Ravindra Jadeja in the lineup after his appearance in Perth. As a result, in-form all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy may have to be dropped to accommodate Sundar in the playing XI.
Also read: “I would say India have…”: Ravi Shastri’s bold prediction ahead of MCG Test