Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said the team management should step down Nitish Kumar Reddy for the upcoming Test match against Australia. Sanjay Manjrekar said India could improve their batting balance Ravindra Jadeja as a man full of battle for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will begin on Thursday, December 26. With the five-match test series tied at 1-1, all eyes will be on India's playing XI, especially their batting order. Reports suggest that India might tweak their combination for the game.
Ravindra Jadeja looked one of India's best batsmen ever – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Ravindra Jadeja's batting performance in the last Test match was impressive. Manjrekar said that India would have better depth in their order with Jadeja at No. 7. He added that this would give them the option to pick four bowlers.
“So at number seven, play Jadeja as an all-round batsman. Jadeja batted in the last Test, the way he batted, he actually looked one of India's best batsmen so far in the series. It's not about getting runs, it's just how he started in a typical Test match fashion and took his time,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
“So clearly at this stage, in Australian conditions, if India are looking at Jadeja as a batsman, I think then the balance is changed. So you'll have him batting at number seven and that's a pretty good depth. And then you can pick four bowlers, be it three seamers or one more spinner or four bowlers or genuine bowlers and then you have Jadeja the fifth bowling option There is a solution.
They didn't have someone like a Nitish Kumar Reddy – Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar doubted that Nitish Kumar Reddy could consistently deliver big scores at No. 8. Manjrekar also pointed out that India's past series wins in Australia were achieved without a player like Reddy. He added that it's a little too early to think of him as a big hitter.
“There's no doubting the potential this guy has and how brilliantly he's played. But can we get a hundred and twenty from someone batting at number eight? And clearly it is not at this stage a bowler will get a hundred and seven wickets as one Shard Thakur he did. And let's not forget India's last two series wins in Australia, they didn't have someone like a Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“So at this point, Nitish Kumar Reddy helps you recover from a bad start. He bats at number eight, gets you 40. But is he good enough at this stage to be pushed up the order and played as a pure batsman and leave somebody. Out of shape? And then you can get a special bowler at this stage he's not good enough to play as a bowling all-rounder and maybe it's early to think of him as a batsman.”
Washington Sundar might replace Nitish Kumar Reddy in the playing XI
Team India is considering a two-wheeler combination for the Boxing Day Test. Washington Sundar could pair him with Ravindra Jadeja in the line-up after his performance in Perth. As a result, in-form all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy may have to be dropped to accommodate Sundar in the playing XI.
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