New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Indian team’s decision to change the batting position of young Sarfaraz Khan in the first innings of the third Test match against New Zealand on Saturday. Sarfaraz was pushed down the order and came into bat at number 8 on a day which proved to be delightful for the hosts.
Manjrekar took to social media site X to slam Team India saying that to push back an in-form batter who is a good player of spin bowling in order to maintain the left-right combination makes no sense. “A guy in form, has 3 fifties in his first 3 Tests, gets 150 in the Bangalore Test, a good player of spin, pushed back in the order to keep left & right combination?? Makes no sense. Sarfraz now walking in at no 8! Poor call by India,” Manjrekar tweeted.
A guy in form, has 3 fifties in his first 3 Tests, gets 150 in the Bangalore Test, a good player of spin, pushed back in the order to keep left & right combination?? Makes no sense. Sarfraz now walking in at no 8! Poor call by India.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 2, 2024
Jadeja promoted ahead of Sarfaraz
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was promoted ahead of the middle-order batter in India’s first innings so as to maintain the left-right combination, which was working well till then with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant on the crease. However, India’s plan to rope in Jadeja ahead of young Sarfaraz back-fired as the all-rounder was dismissed for just 14 runs from 25 balls, getting caught by Daryl Mitchell off Glenn Phillips bowling. Sarfaraz was unable to open his account in the game and returned to the pavilion for a four-ball duck.
Meanwhile, India ended the second day on a solid note, reducing New Zealand for 171/9, with a lead of 143 runs. India will have to take a lone wicket on the third day after which the chase should not be difficult for hosts.
