Selection of this player in Indian team surprises Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar feels Dinesh Karthik not a ODI player

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that he is surprised to see Dinesh Karthik in Team India’s squad for the Asia Cup. Manjrekar believes that T20 is the format for Karthik.

Manjrekar expressed his views on Karthik in a column he wrote for an online cricket portal. He stated that he was surprised that the selectors picked Karthik again for a 50-overs tournament. According to the former India batsman, everyone has seen Karthik enough to know that he is at his best when he does not have too much time to think and has to start belting the ball from the word go.

Dinesh Karthik made a comeback in the Indian team courtesy of strong show in domestic cricket. However he hasn’t made a significant contribution in the ODI format and was abysmal in the two Tests he featured against England earlier this year.

Rahul needs to be kept in the mix in all cricket that India plays: Manjrekar

At the same time, Manjrekar feels that instead of Karthik, India should invest in Rahul. Manjrekar admitted that 50-overs cricket must be kept separate from Tests but he noted that considering India’s problems overseas in Tests, Rahul needs to be kept in the mix in all cricket that India plays.

He pointed out that Rahul seems more easily malleable than Ajinkya Rahane when it comes to adjusting between white- and red-ball cricket.

Also read: India’s skill level is high, we still lag behind: Sarfaraz Ahmed 

Manjrekar feels Jadhav’s bowling gives him advantage

Kedar Jadhav who is one of the contenders for the batting slot in the middle order has recently done exceptionally well with the ball.

Manjrekar feels its Jadhav’s bowling that puts him ahead in the race at this stage. He also added that ideally no one’s second skill should be given that much significance if their primary skill is not exceptional but he reminded that Hardik Pandya is not a guaranteed ten-overs bowler. And according to the former batsman that’s where Jadhav’s offspin adds value, which cannot be taken lightly.