Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar named his preferred Team India XI for the first Test against South Africa of the two-match series. The first Test will be played in Centurion from December 26 onwards.
India has never won a Test series in South Africa and under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, the side will be looking to create history this time. Manjrekar, known for his astute observations, has backed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja over the top-ranked Test bowler R Ashwin, who is capable with the bat as well.
"Because it's not known to be a turning pitch, if it is a rank turner or a pitch that is likely to turn a lot, then maybe India might have two spinners. Ravindra Jadeja is at No. 7. I am picking him ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin because of just his batting contributions in foreign Test matches. So, he becomes that one spinner at No. 7,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
In addition to this, Manjrekar picked Shardul Thakur as the pace-bowling all-rounder. He advocated for depth in the batting order, emphasizing the need for an extra batter down the lineup.
"In the first Test match, you just want your batting to have some cushion of an extra batter down the order. Plus, let's not forget that Shardul got seven wickets in the last series in South Africa,” Manjrekar added.
Thakur's dramatic performance on the last trip, where he bagged 11 wickets, including a spectacular seven-wicket haul, seemed to have left an indelible effect on Manjrekar.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s India XI for 1st Test vs. South Africa:
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar
