IND v ENG 2021: "It's just beyond me," Manjrekar surprised at Ishan Kishan not opening in 3rd T20I

Manjrekar was baffled by India's decision to drop Ishan Kishan to No. 3 in the third game.

Ishan Kishan had struck a brilliant fifty on his India debut in the second T20I against England | Getty Images

Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was surprised by Team India's opening combination in the third T20I against England after the hosts were thrashed by Eoin Morgan’s team by 8 wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series in Ahmedabad.

Indian cricket team decided to send KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to open the innings in the third T20I after being asked to bat first by England at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday (March 16), demoting the in-form Ishan Kishan and the decision backfired heavily for the hosts.

Both openers Rahul and Rohit failed to give Team India a good start against England, as they were dismissed cheaply by the pacer Mark Wood for 0 and 15 runs respectively on Tuesday.

Read Also: IND v ENG 2021: WATCH - Virat Kohli gets furious on Shardul Thakur after a wild throw

India sent Kishan at No.3 but the youngster failed to replicate his debut performance (56 off just 32 balls) and was dismissed for just 4 runs and the hosts paid the cost by losing the crucial game to England, as Virat Kohli’s 77* couldn’t help his side to recover from the early loss in the third game.

Following India’s crushing 8-wicket loss to England, Manjrekar was baffled by India’s decision to drop Kishan to No.3 in the third T20I, saying the move was just “beyond” his understanding.

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Manjrekar wrote: “After a sensational debut as a T20 opener that Ishan is not opening in the next game is just beyond me!,”

Noteworthy, with England already taking a 2-1 in the ongoing five-match T20I series, India now has to win the remaining two matches to win the home series.

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 17 Mar, 2021

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