India’s loss at Adelaide has left the team in a tough situation. With head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma now on their backs to reassess strategies before Brisbane, one would like to know that there are more questions asked about the team’s approach than answers given after the Adelaide defeat.
Sanjay Manjrekar Warns Against Making Hasty Changes In Playing XI
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged caution against knee-jerk changes to the playing XI for the Brisbane Test. He insisted that, especially in terms of the pace attack, there must be considered judgment following the Adelaide underperformance. Even though India’s pace troika of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana were a force in Perth, they could not quite cope with the pink ball in Adelaide. Though Bumrah and Siraj picked four wickets each, Rana did not pick a single wicket and leaked runs at an economy rate of 5.40, which is a cause for concern over his place in the XI.
Akash Deep A Strong Alternative, But Not At Rana’s Expense
According to Manjrekar, Akash Deep, who had done well during his Test debut earlier this year against England, may be a good replacement for someone in the playing XI. However, he stressed that Akash should be considered for selection only if India opts for an additional pacer, and not as a direct replacement for Rana. Akash has shown promise in limited opportunities, even managing to trouble the opposition with the new ball in conditions that were not ideal for fast bowlers.
“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,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.
Tough Call For Rohit & Gambhir: Finalizing The Pace Attack
The Brisbane Test is just on the horizon, and the Indian team is itching to regain the lost ground of the past. Players have already begun to prepare for this test with a series of intense practice sessions that reflect the commitment they are making to turn things around. Rohit and Gambhir, however, have the tricky task of finalizing the pace attack for the Test.
“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 added.
Manjrekar Urges Careful Evaluation Of Gabba Pitch
Manjrekar advised the management to carefully go through the conditions in Gabba before finalizing their pace attack as the team gears up for the Brisbane Test. The pitch is going to become crucial in deciding what is the right combination of seamers in the match, particularly the third and fourth options in the line-up.
