November 20, 2024: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar suggested that India should consider dropping one of their pace bowlers to make way for all-rounder Washington Sundar as the second spinner in the playing XI for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth, which begins on November 22.
Manjrekar pointed out that India has historically trusted spinners in Australia, citing examples like the 1977 Test when India played with three spinners and the 2008 series when Anil Kumble and Virender Sehwag were both used as spinners. He argued that Sundar’s all-round abilities, especially his recent performances, make him a valuable asset for the team, particularly in conditions that might favor spinners.
Sundar had a standout performance during India’s 2021 series in Australia, contributing with both bat and ball, and he was one of the highlights during India’s home series loss to New Zealand, topping the wicket-taking charts with 16 wickets and scoring 89 runs in four innings.
In Manjrekar’s proposed playing XI for the first Test, he included:
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant
- KL Rahul
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Akash Deep
Manjrekar expressed confidence in this combination, calling it the “most pragmatic approach” given the resources available to the team. He highlighted Sundar’s ability to contribute in both departments, making him a compelling choice, particularly in Australia, where bounce and spin could come into play.
This view comes as India seeks to strengthen its position in the ICC World Test Championship, with both teams aiming for a strong start to the series. The Test series is crucial for both sides, with India looking to recover from their recent setback against New Zealand and Australia hoping to avoid a third consecutive series loss to India at home.
After the first Test in Perth, the series will continue with matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
