The T20 World Cup is only a few months away and cricket pundits are busy making their predictions about the mega event. While some claimed that the defending champions and hosts Australia are the favorites to win the event, others have made forecasts about the world's top cricketers in the format. Most Indian experts, however, have been busy naming their respective Team India squads for the T20 World Cup. After his dismal performances against South Africa in the five-match T20 series at home, several former India cricketers demanded that Rishabh Pant should not be named in the team for the high-profile competition. On the other hand, a few, including Sanjay Manjrekar have spoken about the team composition for the tournament. According to Sanjay Manjrekar, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja may find it tough to be a part of India's playing eleven Down Under. Manjrekar described that because of the emergence of Dinesh Karthik as a finisher, Ravindra Jadeja's role in the lower-middle order has been compromised whereas Axar Patel has proven to be a far better left-arm spinner than him in T20Is.
“Clearly, Dinesh Karthik has shown that he can be a number 6 or 7 as a pure batter. The impact that he is making is phenomenal and we saw that in T20Is against South Africa and also in the IPL,” Sanjay Manjrekar said in a virtual interaction organized by Sony Sports.
“So, it’s not really going to be easy for Jadeja to come in and take his place and India might settle in with somebody like Axar Patel.”
“The side now has Hardik Pandya, Karthik batting down the order. Rishabh Pant is also there so it’s not going to be easy for him. But knowing the kind of player Jadeja is, he will be making sure that the headache doesn’t get less for the selectors,” Sanjay Manjrekar added.
“Rishabh Pant has made number four his place (During the South Africa series). Although, I thought Hardik Pandya should have batted at that position after the way he performed in the IPL. Ishan Kishan at the top and number four will be totally different. We haven’t seen him at that position and that’s not an easy position to bat on,” the Mangalore-born retired cricketer elaborated.
“KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan are openers and they aren’t really the options at number four or five. But the kind of performances that we have seen from all the guys, Rishabh Pant will feel the pressure of having to perform,” he continued.
“My thing is wait and watch with Rishabh Pant because he is different, enigmatic and he has shown it at Test level. He is a remarkable player. But in the white-ball cricket, he is someone who is still in the process of telling exactly what kind of a player he is,” Sanjay Manjrekar opined.
“But, clearly the amount of players breathing down the necks of the senior players and the big names, it just very good for Indian cricket,” he asserted.
Earlier, Sanjay Manjrekar named leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as one of India’s game-changers for the tournament. He has also voiced his support for left-arm spinner Axar Patel and young Ravi Bishnoi.
The other player who according to Sanjay Manjrekar could be crucial to India’s chances in Kangaroo land would be Kuldeep Yadav.
While Yuzvendra Chahal was on fire during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20I series against South Africa this month, Kuldeep Yadav appeared to have regained his rhythm in the cash-rich league.
The chinaman bowler, however, missed the home series against the Proteas due to an injury. Despite Kuldeep Yadav’s recent problems owing to his fitness, Sanjay Manjrekar wants to keep him in the conversation for a place in the Indian team’s squad for the World Cup.
“India have quality in the seam department but other international teams like Pakistan and South Africa have it as well. No matter how much quality India have in their seam, they start winning when spinners make a contribution. Yes, India have gone away from Chahar, Ashwin, and Chakaravarthy. They are currently looking at Chahal, Bishnoi and Axar. Jadeja might come in too. But I would also like to see Kuldeep once he is fit. If India have to win and get into the final round of the tournament, they need two game-changing spinners,” Sanjay Manjrekar said.
“Spinners would get two-three wickets and completely change the course of the game. India need to start zeroing on their three spinners in the squad. Chahal has almost sealed his berth and Kuldeep can also come into the mix. Kuldeep had an interesting season with Delhi Capitals. Axar is also a reliable finger spinner. Zeroing on the three spinners might be one of the top agendas of the team management. It would set India apart from others,” he concluded.
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