Image Courtesy - Times of India & Mumbai Mirror
Ahead of World Test Championship (WTC) Final, Commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has picked his prediction for India’s playing XI for the upcoming extravaganza against New Zealand. Former Indian Batsman has dropped veteran Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja from his playing XI for the most important event.
Keeping in mind the ‘typical English conditions’ and weather forecast, Former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar picked his playing XI for WTC Final. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said: “I’m assuming you have typical English conditions. I’m assuming there will be a mixture of sun and cloudy cover throughout the five days of the Test match if it goes the distance. So I’m picking the team accordingly.”
The 55-year-old in his top five picked Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as openers. Cheteshwar Pujara will be seen at no.3, then obviously no.4 captain Virat Kohli followed by his vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Excitement is building up! 👌
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The commentator surprised everyone while selecting the middle-order, he chooses Hanuma Vihari at no.6, explaining that “India will need someone with more compact defensive technique.” Then Rishabh Pant will bat at no.7 in Sanjay Manjrekar’s XI. He quoted: “Going to have Hanuma Vihari to reward him for his brilliant innings before he got injured. India will need somebody with more compact defensive technique. Because the guys at the top of the order barring Pujara aren’t those kind. So I will have Hanuma Vihari at number 6. Pant at 7, considering India have hardly had any practice game. I just want to make sure the batting runs deep.”
Sanjay Manjrekar picked only one spinner for WTC Final, he chooses Ravichandran Ashwin as India’s only spinner in his playing XI with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja missing out. Star pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are the two-seamers on the playing side, for no. 11 Manjrekar chose Mohammed Siraj in his playing side. He also explained his reason behind picking Mohammed Siraj over veteran Ishant Sharma, Sanjay Manjrekar said: “Want Siraj, the swing bowler to be brought into the equation and the last time Siraj bowled overseason in Australia, got a five-wicket haul. Hard to leave a bowler like him out. You will be tempted to think of Siraj because when you look at Shami Bumrah and Ishant, they are more seam bowlers, hit the deck kind of bowler. Siraj might offer something different. I would go with Siraj. But India might play Ishant for obvious reasons.”
Sanjay Manjrekar’s playing XI for WTC final:
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Three sleeps away from the BIG GAME. 👍👍
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— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2021