Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer might be competing for a single spot in the Indian Test side once Rishabh Pant returns to the team.

Manjrekar also praised Rahul for his impressive performance in the Test series against South Africa, especially highlighting his remarkable century in Centurion, which was dubbed by Sunil Gavaskar as one of the best in Test cricket.

The cricket expert further commended Rahul for making the most of his opportunities in all three formats of the game. However, Manjrekar pointed out that the battle for the No. 5 spot could be between Rahul and Iyer when Pant is back on the Indian cricket team.

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Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports after the Cape Town Test: “I think he's a guy who cares about every format. You know how he's built to value every opportunity that he gets after he got that 100. You know, I am looking two years from now and I thought he's really competing with Shreyas Iyer for a batting position in the middle order because the moment Rishabh Pant is fit, he becomes your keeper batter, and there's great quality to Rishabh Pant batting and keeping as well.”

Manjrekar further added, “That innings was just incredible (First Test hundred). Unfortunately, you know, Dean Elgar got a 180, they got 400 because we at the time thought that 260 was gonna be enough. And that was the moment if India could have latched onto, there would have been a series win in South Africa.”

Notably, India defeated South Africa by 7 wickets in the second and final Test to level the Test series at 1-1 after being crushed by the hosts by an innings and 32 runs in the first Test in Centurion.

(With Star Sports/PTI Inputs)