As the South Africa vs. India T20I series approaches, Sanjay Manjrekar has an interesting suggestion for the Indian cricket team. The former Indian cricketer suggested Team India’s think tank stick with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad as openers and play Shubman Gill at No. 3.

Jaiswal and Ruturaj impressed as openers in the recent T20I series against Australia, filling in for Rohit Sharma and Gill, who were rested after the World Cup 2023. Ruturaj emerged as the highest run scorer in the home series with 223 runs in five matches, while Jaiswal was also impressive.

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Now, Gill's return creates a selection dilemma for the Men in Blue. The young opener has so far amassed 304 runs in 11 T20Is with a strike rate of 146.85. Despite this, Manjrekar believes that Gill can be dropped down to the batting order to maximize the India team's potential.

Sanjay Manjrekar was quoted as saying by Star Sports: “Will India think of disturbing this opening combination of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal? However, Shubman Gill has that track record. My compromise would be Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad to continue and Shubman Gill at No. 3.”

Manjrekar signed off by saying, “I will bat at Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4. Then you have got Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Shreyas Iyer - that's your batting order. There is tremendous depth. How do I fit in Ishan Kishan? I am struggling.”

Notably, the Indian team has already reached South Africa for a three-match T20I and ODI series. They will also play two Tests in South Africa, and the tour will get underway on December 10 with the first T20I.

(With PTI/Star Sports Inputs)