Sanjay Manjrekar Advice: India’s loss in Adelaide has put the team in a precarious position, pushing head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma to reassess their plans for the third Test in Brisbane. They must make critical decisions about the playing XI to bounce back in the series. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged them to proceed cautiously, especially while altering the bowling attack, as he shared his insights on the matter.
Harshit Rana Under Scrutiny; Akash Deep in the Wings
The Indian pace attack—comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana—excelled in Perth but struggled to replicate their performance with the pink ball in Adelaide. While Bumrah and Siraj managed to claim four wickets each, Rana ended wicketless, leaking runs at an economy of 5.40. This has raised questions about Rana’s place in the XI, with Akash Deep being considered as a potential replacement.
However, Manjrekar believes Akash should not replace Rana, stating:
“Not at the expense of Harshit Rana. But, I think that might happen. Just trying to read the team management’s mind, but if it’s an all-out pace pitch, he (Akash Deep) can be the fourth seamer…So India have to think about that carefully,” he said on ESPNCricinfo.
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Akash Deep’s Track Record
Akash Deep has shown promise in his limited opportunities. He made a notable Test debut against England earlier this year and performed well against Bangladesh and New Zealand, managing to trouble batters with the new ball despite unfavorable surfaces.
Rohit and Gambhir’s Dilemma: Assessing Brisbane’s Pitch
As preparations intensify for the Brisbane Test, the Indian team is determined to make a strong comeback. Rigorous practice sessions reflect their focus on improving their performance.
Manjrekar emphasized the importance of assessing the Gabba pitch carefully before deciding on the pace attack:
“This bowling lineup with Bumrah, Siraj, Harshit Rana or Akash Deep is starting to look a little inadequate, if the pitch is going to be as flat as it was in Adelaide in Brisbane. Otherwise, it should be enough,” he remarked.
Final Thoughts
The decision to include Akash Deep without compromising Harshit Rana’s place will require careful consideration of the pitch conditions and team balance. With the stakes high, Rohit and Gambhir face a tricky challenge in selecting the perfect pace attack for Brisbane.
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