Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has raised question marks over Rohit Sharma’s failure to use Ravindra Jadeja’s services early on against the left-handed batsman and shared statistics that the India captain “has to show”.
On the rain-shortened opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, only 35 overs were possible after India won the toss and elected to bowl for the first time in nine years in a home Test.
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Left-arm spinner Jadeja was the only specialist bowler not asked to bowl, while pacer Akash Deep was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 2 for 34. Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took the other wicket on Friday.
Trailing 1-0 in the two-match series, Bangladesh has won 3 and lost 107. Mominum Haque was at 50 and Mushifqur Rahim was at 6 when play was abandoned due to rain.
With Bangladesh under pressure after the third wicket and down to 80 runs after lunch, Manjrekar believed Rohit could have brought in Jadeja and admitted it was logical to bowl the off-spinner to the two left-handers at the crease.
However, Manjrekar made his point by sharing statistics about Jadeja’s record against former England captain and left-handed opener Alastair Cook.
“Rohit needs to show these stats. JADEJA vs COOK, 2016 series: Outed him six times in eight innings and conceded only 75 runs. Rohit tends not to bowl Jadeja early when the left-hander is on.” Posted by Manjrekar. ‘X’.
After the day’s play, Manjrekar elaborated on his points during analysis in an ESPNcricinfo chat.
“Every captain has his approach keeping in mind the bowlers he has. There is nothing wrong with that as captains tend to trust some bowlers more. I have noticed this especially in this series, but when it comes to spin, Rohit has Ashwin “I prefer it a little more,” the former batsman said.
“Yes, there was a reason for this as there were two left-handers. But the match-up should be just a guideline. As seen in this series, in the previous match, Shakib Al Hasan had harassed Rishabh Pant. The drop catch scenario is The trend continues in Test cricket as well, with some outstanding bowlers like Jadeja who have a good record against left-handers.
“Remember, he dismissed Alastair Cook six times in eight innings, so not giving him the ball at all was embarrassing,” he added.
