Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opined that Indian selectors got it wrong by taking Ravichandran Ashwin back in the ODI team as the off-spinner hasn’t done anything significant to claim his place back in the 50-over format.
He also pointed out that Ashwin played the first two ODI games in the series and looked very ineffective. Ashwin returned with figures of 1/53 and 0/68 in his comeback ODI series.
Ashwin returned with figures of 1/53 and 0/68 in two matches
“Ashwin strangely came back into India’s ODI plans for some reason. India paid a price for that. He played the two crucial games, did nothing much. (Yuzvendra) Chahal is also under the scanner. Prasidh Krishna needs to be backed a bit more. Also, in 50-overs, Mohammed Shami can be a good option.” Sanjay Manjrekar spoke to ESPNcricinfo.
Chahal could pick only two wickets in 3 matches as he conceded with an economy of 4.90. Manjrekar also pointed out that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has passed his prime as Deepak Chahar showed a glimpse in the third ODI that he could prove a better option as a wicket-taker in powerplays. Deepak Chahar returned with a figure of 2/53 and also played a blinder of a knock to score 31-ball 50.
“Bowling wise, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had given signs even before this series that he is finding it difficult to get back to his best. I guess that issue is closed after seeing his performance in the series. And Deepak Chahar, the one ball to get Janneman Malan, should tell selectors that he is a better option.” Manjrekar added.
Overall Manjrekar feels that this tour has been a disappointment for India and it’s among the poorest Indian tours to South Africa. Notable that India lost the test series by a 1-2 margin despite taking a 1-0 lead after the first match.
“The way the match ended sums up the whole trip for India. It has to be one of the poorest Indian tours to South Africa. That’s how it was destined to be. It just wasn’t India’s time in South Africa. It is a bad loss.” he added.
India’s next assignment will be a home series against West Indies in which they played 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is starting from February 6.
