Sanjay Manjrekar expresses concern over pace resources after BGT 2024-25, questions team’s selection

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed concern over fast bowling resources after the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which India lost by 3-1 against Australia. Manjrekar also questioned India’s selection as they decided to play Washington Sundar ahead of the fourth seamer on a green SCG pitch.

After Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a back spasm, India’s bowling looked toothless in the second innings. Manjrekar noted that India’s think tank didn’t give consistent chances to the third seamer after backing Harshit Rana in the first two Test matches, Akash Deep in the next two, and Prasidh Krishna was picked in the final XI after Bengal pacer was ruled out with a back spasm.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Going in with two (three) seam bowlers and one Nitish Kumar Reddy on a pitch like that was just crazy. You saw it became just a mockery when Bumrah wasn’t there. They had to just bowl Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna before Siraj had to eventually leave the field. That is what you have to be really disappointed about.”

He added, “India were carrying two-three inexperienced seamers. Harshit Rana impressed in one game. Second game lackluster, dropped for the third Test. Akash Deep played a couple of matches, Prasidh Krishna comes in (after Akash Deep got injured).

Manjrekar added that India needs to look at their pace battery and get the best out of the bowlers.

“So they didn’t stick to one bowler. India need to look at their bowling. I wonder whether India can also think of having a speedster. There are couple who are out there. That’s a focus area for India,” he added.

Jasprit Bumrah had a fantastic series as he scalped 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 whereas Mohammed Siraj bagged 20 wickets at 31.15 in five Test matches.