Team India conceded an unassailable 2-0 lead to South Africa after losing the second ODI by seven wickets in Paarl.

Just like the first ODI, India’s bowling attack looked toothless in the second ODI as they failed to defend 287 runs. Barring Jasprit Bumrah (1-37), no bowler managed to trouble the host batters. 

In particular, veteran spinner R Ashwin came under the scanner as he couldn’t claim a wicket and gave away 68 runs in his 10 overs in the second ODI.

Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar was also critical of Ashwin’s performance, saying the off-spinner is suddenly back into India’s ODI plans for ‘no reason.’

“See Ashwin, I have been maintaining right from the start of the series that he has sneaked back into India’s white-ball plans for no reason. It is not that he has made a strong claim for a comeback, but somehow the thinking has changed and he has come back into the plans. Hopefully, now, India will realize that he is not an impact spinner that India needs,” he said on ESPNCricinfo.

According to Manjrekar, Team India need to go back to the time when they were picking up wickets at regular intervals even in the middle overs.

He called for wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the ODI team keeping the 2023 World Cup in mind.

“India need to go back to those times where they used to get wickets in the middle overs. So this spin attack that India has is not their best and Ashwin has a long-standing track record of that but Chahal who has been a successful Indian white-ball spinner but you see that his powers may be waning. This spin attack is not the ideal one for India on a long-term basis. It is time for India to go back to Kuldeep Yadav and he has the record of running through sides. Kuldeep will come back into reckoning,” Manjrekar opined.

The third and final ODI between India and South Africa will be played in Cape Town on Sunday (January 23).