Sanjay Manjrekar has opened up about not being a fan of Delhi Capitals spinner Ravichandran Ashwin when it comes to limited-overs cricket. This is because he wasn’t impressed by how the 35-year-old off-spinner in the previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ravichandran Ashwin was the least effective amongst the Delhi Capitals bowlers in a match where Sunrisers Hyderabad was restricted to 134/9 in their 20 overs. The off-spinner conceded 22 runs in 2.5 overs without adding anything to the wickets column.
Sanjay Manjrekar Wished Amit Mishra Be Included Instead Of Ravichandran Ashwin Which Didn’t Happen
Delhi Capitals’ next match against Rajasthan Royals fielded Lalit Yadav instead of injuring Marcus Stoinis. Delhi Capitals are currently 114/4 in the 16th over, with Prithvi Shaw-10, Shikhar Dhawan-8, Shreyas Iyer-43, and Rishabh Pant-24 back in the Pavilion. However, Shimron Hetmyer is going all guns blazing, scoring an unbeaten 23 off 12 balls so far.
Reckoning that Delhi Capitals could give Amit Mishra the nod ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin, Sanjay Manjrekar said on Instagram: “I was a little surprised that they played Ashwin ahead of Amit Mishra. I don’t think Ashwin bowled too well. I am not a big fan of Ashwin in white-ball cricket. So if they can get Mishra in, he becomes that wrist spinner that is always a game-changer in T20 cricket.”
The former India batter felt the franchises were a bit unfair on low-profile players like Amit Mishra. He tends to get a raw deal despite performing well when he gets games, felt Sanjay Manjrekar.
“People like Amit Mishra, low profile players, tend to get a raw deal. Every time Mishra plays, he has got wickets for Delhi and the other franchises he has played before.”
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra remains a vital cog in the Delhi Capitals’ machinery. The wily leg-spinner, who has the most hat-tricks in the tournament, has 166 IPL wickets against his name. While the injury cut short his IPL 2020 journey, the veteran spinner picked six wickets in 4 games averaging 18.16 before contracting the virus.
Besides, as a result of which IPL 2021 was suspended indefinitely. He is the 2nd highest wicket-taker after Lasith Malinga (170 scalps).
Sanjay Manjrekar: Rajasthan Royals Needs To Field Tabraiz Shamsi In XI
Sanjay Manjrekar opined that Rajasthan Royals need a bit more depth in the spin department. Expressing his desire to see the team try and fit in left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the side, Sanjay Manjrekar said he would add variety in the Royals’ spin department.
“The one thing that Rajasthan needs is some help with spin. Against Punjab, you could see that they were trying to get some spinners in, some variation. I really would like to see them fit in Tabraiz Shamsi, a typical T20 bowler, not quite orthodox. He might be able to give them a bit of variety. If the fast bowlers don’t get you wickets, maybe he could.”
Sanjay Manjrekar revealed that he favors Delhi Capitals to win the match against the Royals on Saturday, saying: “Despite Rajasthan’s win in the last match, Delhi start as favorites. Punjab was the better side for 38 overs in the match. Something bizarre happened in the last two overs for Rajasthan to win,” Sanjay Manjrekar signed off.