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Sanjay Manjrekar feels India should consider using Harshit Rana and Akash Deep if conditions do assist pacers in Brisbane.
Akash Deep has picked up 8 wickets in three Tests played so far. (Picture Credit: AFP)
After a crushing ten-wicket defeat to Australia in Adelaide, India’s hopes of bouncing back in the third Test in Brisbane have taken centre stage. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series tied 1-1, the stakes are higher than ever and former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels India should consider using Harshit Rana and Akash Deep if conditions do assist pacers.
The manner of that defeat not only punctured the euphoria in the camp following India’s resounding 295-run victory in the opening Test in Perth but also exposed their over-reliance on Bumrah to get the 20 wickets needed to win a match.
India managed to take only 10 in Adelaide with Bumrah, the leading wicket-taker in the five-Test series, claiming four including three Australian top-order batters.
Fellow seamer Mohammed Siraj claimed four middle and lower order wickets but Australia were in charge by then, while wicketless Harshit Rana bled 86 runs in his 16 overs. Rana had impressed with a 3/48 spell on debut in Perth.
Rana’s pace and ability to extract bounce though makes him a compelling choice for the Brisbane pitch, known for its lively nature. The pacer has been subjected to criticism but is seen as a valuable asset despite his recent struggles.
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Manjrekar though feels Akash Deep should be given a chance in Rana’s place.
“Not at the expense of Harshit Rana. But, I think that might happen. Just trying to read the team management’s mind, but if it’s an all out pace pitch, he (Akash Deep) can be the fourth seamer… So India have to think about that carefully,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.
“This bowling lineup with Bumrah, Siraj, Harshit Rana or Akash Deep is starting to look a little inadequate, if the pitch is going to be as flat as it was in Adelaide in Brisbane. Otherwise, it should be enough,” he added
India’s loss in Adelaide have also dealt a blow to their World Test Championship (WTC) final qualification hopes. Currently third in the standings with a points percentage of 57.29, India face an uphill task. To secure their spot in the WTC final, they must win the series by a margin of 3-1 or 4-1. Meanwhile, Australia sit second with a 60.71 points percentage, while South Africa lead the pack with 63.33.
(With inputs from Agencies)
