India has been under immense pressure after their 76-run loss against South Africa, last Sunday, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Team India was criticised for picking Washington Sundar, over team’s vice-captain Axar Patel. The selection was made due for the match-up for the Proteas having three left-handers in their squad, informed of Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and David Miller.
Ahead of the next game against Zimbabwe, cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has called out Gautam Gambhir for the over reliance on Washington Sundar. As he took a dig that the all-rounder had become the solution to every problem, whether with bat or the ball.
‘Gautam Gambhir seems to have an all-in-one solution for everything’- Sanjay Manjrekar
However, despite the matchup Sundar was made to bowl just one over after conceding 11 runs in the first over. Manjrekar also criticised the decision promoting Sundar up the order, ahead of in-form Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh.
Sanjay Manjrekar while speaking on CricketNext, “Kailash Jeevan, there used to be a medicine by that name back in the day. If you had a headache, you’d apply it. If you had a stomach ache, you’d take it. It was an all-in-one remedy. Gautam Gambhir seems to have an all-in-one solution for everything too, Washington Sundar.”
“If there’s a batting issue, Washi is the answer. If there’s a bowling problem, same answer. He was promoted up the order to No. 6 or 7 today, and Rinku… it was just too much.”
Indian batters cannot perform under pressure
Sanjay Manjrekar also pointed out that the Indian batter’s not taking any responsibility and had no intent to do a calculated attack despite the loss of early wickets as South Africa did when they were 20/3. The Men in Blue were bundled out for 111 while chasing 188.
Axar Patel has been good in the middle overs with the ball and his record against left-handers also has been good. However, he was not there in the squad. The all-rounder will return to the side against Zimbabwe, with the Chevrons having five right handed batters in the side and keeping in mind the bigger square boundaries in Chennai.
Sanju Samson to fit for Rinku Singh?
India might also field Sanju Samson, with too many left-handers in the middle and Rinku Singh going back home due to family emergency. Samson might be fitted in to open with Ishan Kishan slotted down to No.3 and then Suryakumar Yadav can bat at No.4 as per the situations.
Following the loss to South Africa, India is now third in the Group 1 table at the Super 8 stage. They still have two games left, the other being a match against the West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.
To qualify for the semifinals alongside the Windies or the Proteas, India must win both games by large margins. However, if South Africa win all their remaining games, only two wins would do the trick for India to qualify for the last four. It will be a fantastic and exciting week of cricket for the fans.
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