Sanjay Manjrekar India's former Batsman backs Hardik Pandya for pure number 6 batsmen in ODIs. 



Sanjay Manjrekar who earlier criticized selectors for the selection of all-rounder in One Day Squad against Australia seems to have changed his mind. Former Indian Batsmen, Sanjay Manjrekar backs Hardik Pandya as a pure number 6 batsmen in ODIs for India. After a rollicking performance from the dashing Hardik Pandya in the third and final ODI against Australia. Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik?s match-winning partnership of 150 runs avoided a clean sweep.



Sanjay Manjrekar while commentary in Sony Six heaped praise on Hardik Pandya for his match-winning 92 in the final ODI while unbeaten 90 in the first game. Manjrekar who initially looked confused about his selection, later said, ?India has found the perfect number 6 batsmen in the form of Hardik Pandya.?



Even though the all-rounder is not fully sure about his bowling but he is showing good intent with his batting performance. The former Indian batsman, Sanjay Manjrekar added that he was impressed with Pandya?s maturity during both the knocks in Canberra and Sydney.



<h2>He is a pure number 6 batsman:</h2>



?I was a bit spectacle when the selectors picked him on the basis of IPL performance. I thought he was a good Twenty20 batsman but One Day- is a slightly different format. Can Hardik Pandya be a pure 50 over batsman and he proved his mettle in support,? Sanjay Manjrekar on Sony Six.



?He scored 90 runs in the first encounter too but we have seen him scoring runs and not be consistent enough. He proved us wrong and scored a good match-winning knock in the final ODI against Australia. So yes, India has found a pure number 6 batsman.?



Manjrekar accepted that Pandya?s brilliant performance in the series forced him to alter his thoughts on the all-rounder. He initially believed that Manish Pandey would be a much better option for India in the number 6 position.



?It was not a Twenty20 game, Men In Blue lost a few early wickets. He got 30 runs from 30 balls. He has that range and not many bowers can keep him shut for long period. That?s really impressive. He has convinced me as I was dicey about him at number 6 pure batsman.?



?Whether he bowls or not, India has found a capable and reliable batsman who can be used at number 5 or 6 in the near future.?



After his stellar performance in the series, Pandya amassed a total of 210 runs in the three-match series. He will surely continue his heroic show in the T20Is ahead.



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Sanjay Manjrekar backs Hardik Pandya for pure number 6 batsmen in ODIs

sanjay-manjrekar-backs-hardik-pandya-for-pure-number-6-batsmen-in-odis

Ian Chappell reckons Ravi Ashwin as a better spinner than Nathan Lyon.



Former Australian Cricketer Ian Chappell described Indian senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as one of the greatest modern-day bowlers playing Cricket currently while former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his ?problems? being called Ashwin as the all-time great.



Manjrekar feels that despite having so many wickets under his hat in Test format, Ashwin never picked a fifer in SENA countries. Moreover, the former cricketer stated that his likes have been matched by Ravindra Jadeja in the last couple of years who is constantly picking wickets for India in all three formats.



?When people start talking about him as being one of the all-time greats of the game then I have a few problems,? Manjrekar said on the ESPNcricinfo programme ?Runorder?.



?One basic problem I have with Ashwin is that when you look at SENA countries, Ashwin doesn?t have a single five-wicket haul there.



?And the other thing when you talk about him running through sides on Indian pitches that are suited to his kind of bowling is that in the last four years, Jadeja has matched him with wicket-taking abilities.



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The 55 years old cricketer put forth the stats of Ashwin and Axar Patel in recent India vs England Test series wherein the latter scalped more wickets than the former.



?Then, interestingly, in the last series against England, Axar Patel got more wickets than Ashwin on similar pitches. So that is my problem with accepting Ashwin as a real all-time great,? Manjrekar concluded.



Ian Chappell, a brilliant Australian skipper, not convinced with what Manjrekar observed, cited Joel Garner, former West Indies bowler as an example.



Chappell argued, how many test fifers Garner owns in his test career? Not many, if you look at his records, he is definitely one of the all-time great bowlers.



?I would like to make a couple of points there ? if you look at Joel Garner, I mean how many five-wicket hauls Joel Garner has? Not many, when you consider how good he was and his record. And why, because he was performing with three other very, very fine players,? Chappell pointed out as Manjrekar listened.



?And I think, particularly of late, I find that the Indian attack has been so strong that the wickets are being shared around more.



?And the other point I would make is because of Ashwin?s reputation I think the England players probably concentrated more on keeping Ashwin out and with Axar Patel, well, let?s be blunt about it, they didn?t have a bloody clue,? Chappell added.



<h2>Ian Chappell's top 5 current best Test bowlers:</h2>



Keeping Ravichandran Ashwin in the list of his top 5 current best bowlers, the former skipper picked two other Indians - Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma- along with the likes of Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada.



Chappell rated Ashwin ahead of Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.



?I think Ashwin is a better bowler than Nathan Lyon. Have a look at Nathan Lyon?s strike rate, you are in the 70s and I am going back to 2018.



?Nathan Lyon, to me, I think runs get scored through the onside when he is bowling to the right-handers and that really just shouldn?t happen. Yes, he is a fine bowler but I think Ashwin is a better bowler.?



The 77-years old Aussie seems impressed with Ishant Sharma?s stats since 2018. The pacer has picked up 77 wickets in 22 test games he has played since 2018.



?Ishant?s record in the last I think I went back to the start of 2018 and looking at some stats and his record is extremely good,? Chappell said.



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Ian Chappell reckons Ravi Ashwin as a better spinner than Nathan Lyon

ian-chappell-reckons-ravi-ashwin-as-a-better-spinner-than-nathan-lyon

Ravi Ashwin takes a hilarious dig at Sanjay Manjrekar?s tweet stating ?Ashwin is not all time great?.



Indian senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has finally decided to engage in banter with former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who earlier stated that Ashwin is not quite there to be termed as all-time great.



The 55-years old former cricketer said, all-time great is the highest possible praise in Cricket and for him, Ashwin right now doesn't deserve a place there.



??All-time great? is the highest praise &amp; acknowledgement given to a cricketer. Cricketers like Don Bradman, Sobers, Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Virat etc are all-time greats in my book. With due respect, Ashwin not quite there as an all-time great yet,? wrote Sanjay Manjrekar on his Tweet.



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To reply to Manjrekar?s statement, Ashwin took the funniest way possible and replied with an image with a dialogue from Tamil Movie 'Aparichit? and it read as: ?Apdi Solladha Da Chaari, Manasellam Valikirdhu."



The English translation to this dialogue is: Don't say things like that, it hurts."



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Ravichandran Ashwin, who is currently in Southampton, England with the Indian squad for the final assignment of the ICC World Test Championship, has picked up 409 wickets in 78 Test matches which include 30 five-wicket hauls.



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<h2>Ashwin doesn't have test five-wicket hauls in SENA countries: Sanjay Manjrekar</h2>



Sanjay Manjrekar has some issues terming Ashwin as an all-time great as he doesn't have enough five-wicket hauls in SENA countries. 



"When people start talking about him (Ashwin) as being one of the all-time greats of the game then I have a few problems," said Manjrekar during a show on ESPNcricinfo?



"One basic problem I have with Ashwin is that when you look at SENA countries, Ashwin doesn't have a single five-wicket haul there. And the other thing when you talk about him running through sides on Indian pitches that are suited to his kind of bowling is that in the last four years Jadeja has matched him with wicket-taking abilities."&nbsp;



Responding to Manjrekar?s comments on Ashwin, former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell was quick enough to cite Joel Garner, West Indies all-time great cricketer, as an example.



The former Aussie cricketer reckons that of late the Indian bowling attack has taken giant strides. The attack is now the best in Test cricket.?The bowlers are quick enough to contribute to the team?s success and share the 10 wickets amongst them.



"I would like to make a couple of points there, if you look at Joel Garner, I mean how many five-wicket hauls Joel Garner has? Not many, when you consider how good he was and his record. And why, because he was performing with three other very, very fine players. And I think, particularly of late, I find that the Indian attack has been so strong that the wickets are being shared around more," said Chappell.



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Ravi Ashwin takes a hilarious dig at Sanjay Manjrekar?s tweet stating ?Ashwin is not all time great?

ravi-ashwin-takes-a-hilarious-dig-at-sanjay-manjrekars-tweet-stating-ashwin-is-not-all-time-great

ICC WTC Final: Ravindra Jadeja?s selection for his batting skills backfired India, says Sanjay Manjrekar.



ICC WTC Final: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar keeps alive his online controversy with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as he gives another bold statement for the all-rounder post India's horrifying defeat against New Zealanders in the ICC World Test Championship.



Team India-led by Virat Kohli lost the all important rain marred test match against Kiwis by eight wickets in the reserve day.



Manjrekar questioned Jadeja?s selection for the final test which was delayed by one day.



?If you have to look at how India went about before the game started, picking two spinners was always a debatable selection especially when the conditions were overcast and the toss was delayed by a day. They picked one player for his batting, which was Jadeja, and his left-arm spin wasn?t the reason he was picked. He was picked for his batting and that is something that I am always against,? Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.



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He furthermore said that selection of Hanuma Vihari could have given team India more depth in those overcast conditions. A specialist batsman with the abilities of Hanuma Vihari may have helped India to post a total of over 200 runs on the last day.



?In a team, you have to pick specialist players on the basis of their primary skillset. If they felt that the pitch would dry up they would have selected Ashwin along with Jadeja owing to his left arm spin abilities. But they picked him thinking of his batting and I think that backfired as mostly it does,? said Majrekar.



Commenting on the upcoming test series against England, Manjrekar said: ?I hope India don?t do what England have historically done, pick somebody because there is another strength that they have and that strength might just come to good use, but very rarely it does when it?s a pressure game.?



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Ravindra Jadeja?s selection for batting backfired India: Sanjay Manjrekar.

ICC WTC Final: Ravindra Jadeja?s selection for his batting skills backfired India, says Sanjay Manjrekar

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not 100 per cent fit in the IPL, says Sanjay Manjrekar.



Vivo IPL 2021: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that senior Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not in his comprehensive fitness in the ongoing fourteenth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and which can be clearly seen in his performances in the recent matches.



The senior Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer hasn?t been effective since the resumption of the Vivo IPL 2021 and has picked just two wickets from four appearances and has also been expensive with an economy of 8.15.



The two times consecutive purple cap winner (in IPL 2016 &amp; 2017) has just managed to pick five wickets from 10 IPL 2021 matches for SRH, which is an alarming sign for him as well as the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021.



Manjrekar analysing Kumar?s performance said that the pacer showed some flashbacks of his prime fitness during his comeback series against England in India, however, again was taken aback by some niggles during the Sri Lanka series.



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In conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar felt that the slow track in the UAE may be one of the reasons for Bhuvneshwar Kumar?s ineffectiveness.&nbsp;



"When Bhuvi made his comeback during the home series against England, he was giving assurances that he's back in his prime form again. But, then in Sri Lanka, it seemed like he's not a hundred percent fit. Again, in the ongoing IPL, we can clearly see that he's not at the peak of his fitness. This is the only for his underwhelming form currently because you can't criticize him for his bowling. He's speed has dipped a bit now. Trent Boult is in a similar situation, where his pace has also taken a hit."



The pacer?s selection in the Indian T20 World Cup squad has taken social media on its toes. With consistent failures in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 phase two, netizens have raised several questions over the selection of the pacer.



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Vivo IPL 2021: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not 100 per cent fit in the IPL, says Sanjay Manjrekar

bhuvneshwar-kumar-is-not-100-per-cent-fit-in-the-ipl-sanjay-manjrekar

Vivo IPL 2021: Season fourteen is just about to make its conclusion as 59 matches are already completed and CSK will square off against KKR in the final tonight to wrap up the tournament. The former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar seems to be unimpressed with the quality of cricket being displayed in the ongoing season. Manjrekar feels that most of the big players in the IPL 2021 were out of form and several have moved ahead of their prime touch, which resulted in the matches ending with a ?bizarre turnaround.?



In conversation with ESPNcricinfo, the former cricketer opined that due to the huge gap between consistent players and the ordinary performers in the IPL 2021 which prompted him to think of the IPL in a unique way.



"I've followed the IPL very closely, but this has been a very unique IPL. Because we have seen some quality players, but we have also seen a large number of guys who are either ability-wise quite ordinary to begin with or players who are past their prime. So, we have seen a lot of those kinds of players in the IPL and we have seen some bizarre results and performances," Manjrekar said.



The renowned commentator even termed IPL season fourteen as ?the most frustrating IPL season ever,? as a couple of teams slipped down from a comfortable position and took their teams to the tricky ending.



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"You've got these very good players and then there is a huge chunk of out-of-form players, players past their prime and players with ability that you wonder they belong here. And that is the reason why we've seen so many bizarre ends and turn-arounds. This has been, for me, the most frustrating IPL to watch," he added.



If we look at the qualifier two of the Vivo IPL 2021 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Wednesday, the latter team had a good upper hand to seal the match convincingly, however, the KKR middle order collapsed during the need of the hour and nearly lost the game to DC.



Delhi scalped five match-turning wickets by conceding five runs. KKR lost its third wicket in 125 runs and was reduced to 130 runs in the loss of seven wickets. It was Rahul Tripathi?s six which came to rescue his side and took KKR over the line, otherwise, the match would have gone in the bag of Delhi Capitals (DC) out of nowhere.



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ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/final-csk-vs-kkr-dream11-prediction-playing11-pitch-report-best-fantasy-tips/">Vivo IPL 2021: Final CSK vs KKR Dream11 Prediction, Playing11, Pitch Report, Best Fantasy Tips</a>

Vivo IPL 2021: Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that IPL 2021 was the most frustrating IPL to watch

sanjay-manjrekar-reckons-that-ipl-2021-was-the-most-frustrating-ipl-to-watch

Sanjay Manjrekar hails Hardik Pandya for his tremendous comeback after injury: Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has hailed Indian senior all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his brilliant performance over the last few months. Pandya, who made a comeback to cricket, months after a forced injury break, is now a completely changed guy, said Manjrekar.



Following Rishabh Pant?s classy ton, all-rounder Hardik Pandya slammed his half-century in the ODI decider at Manchester against England on Sunday to propel team India towards an easy victory.



Team India clinched the ODI series by 2-1 and Hardik Pandya played a crucial role in it. Pandya amassed 71 runs off 55 deliveries in the final ODI against England and scalped four wickets. His match-winning performances earned him the Player of the Series award.



"Absolutely, Hardik Pandya is a completely changed guy. It was a wildcard that the franchise played. First of all, picking him as one of their first players, before that his fitness was a problem, his batting was an issue for the earlier franchise," Manjrekar said in a show on Sports 18 after ENGvIND 3rd ODI.



Manjrekar also talked about how Gujarat Titans backed Hardik as one of their gun players in the recently completed IPL 2022. Hardik Pandya was appointed Gujarat?s skipper in the debut season and the all-rounder completely ruled the position and led his side to a title win in his maiden stint.



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"Not only did they pick him, and back him as one of their marquee players they gave him the captaincy. Just the way the league turned out for him. Hardik Pandya is a changed man now, there's a lot of maturity, responsibility and ambition as well. I see a sense of ambition coming into him. And once you have that, wanting to grow within Indian Cricket then there's tremendous motivation. He's also addressing himself in third person now. Hardik Pandya has arrived."



"So, firstly with my bowling, you know post IPL. After every series I take maybe four or five days to train because that is refuelling for my fitness and just to get fresh. I like to play 100 per cent because then it gives me the opportunity to do all the things which I did today," said Hardik.



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Sanjay Manjrekar hails Hardik Pandya for his tremendous comeback after injury

sanjay-manjrekar-hails-hardik-pandya-for-his-tremendous-comeback-after-injury

IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar: While team India continues to push for its appearance in the ICC WTC Final as it takes on Australia in the fourth test match, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes India has already reached the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, which is scheduled to be held at Oval, London, starting from June 7.



Speaking after the stumps on day 1 of the IND vs AUS 4th test match, Manjrekar said although India will have to officially qualify for the ICC WTC Final, it has already reached there.



?I believe India are already in the final. But, you still have to actually, you know, officially get there. So that tension was there. Plus the series hanging the way it has, Australia making that brilliant comeback in Indore and plus a figure like Narendra Modi at the ground. That buzz was there. Every box was ticked before the start of this Test,? Manjrekar told Star Sports.



Notably, the only team on India's way to the ICC WTC 2021-23 final is Sri Lanka, which is placed third in the points table. Sri Lanka has a two-match test series against New Zealand, which starts later this week. The island nation has to strike a clean sweep against the Kiwis in order to seal its place in the WTC final. Anything less than a clean sweep would result in India's advancement to the ICC WTC Final.



"It's a great setting when people are there, every seat was taken. World Test Championship takes for India, on the verge of getting there. I think India will get there. I don't think Sri Lanka are capable of upsetting New Zealand," he added.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/03/IND-vs-AUS-4th-Test-Ahmedabad.jpg" alt="IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar" class="wp-image-104139" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">India vs Australia 4th Test Day 1 in Narendra Modi Stadium | Image: BCCI</figcaption></figure>



For India to keep things in its hands, it needs to win the ongoing IND vs AUS 4th Test match in Narendra Modi Stadium. A win in the 4th test match would help India make its place in the ICC WTC Final.



Meanwhile, if India draws or losses the ongoing IND vs AUS 4th test, it will have to hope for Sri Lanka that it doesn't get a complete hold of the New Zealand two-game test series.



Talking about the IND vs AUS 4th Test match, Australia managed to score 255 runs in the loss of 4 wickets on day 1 of the test. Aussie opener Usman Khawaja returned unbeaten at 104 runs at the stumps on the first day. Meanwhile, Mohammad Shami scalped two wickets and R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got one apiece in their bag.



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To know more head to BCCI's official <a href="https://www.bcci.tv/">website</a>.

IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar

ind-vs-aus-india-is-already-in-icc-wtc-final-says-sanjay-manjrekar

We are just one sleep away from the cricket carnival in India. The <a href="https://www.iplt20.com/auction" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.iplt20.com/auction">Indian Premier League</a> (IPL) 2023 will begin from 31st March and much like all seasons, it promises to be another blockbuster season. The season of predictions, banters and thrillers are here as many have predicted the winners, orange and purple cap holders. With the kind of competition, the league offers, it?s fair to say that any team can upset any opposition and the one who ticks all the right boxes will be through as the margin of error will be very less.?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sanjay Manjrekar backs Royal Challengers Bangalore to win IPL 2023</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/RCB-2.jpg" alt="IPL 2023 Auction: 2 Players RCB may target in IPL 2023 Auction" class="wp-image-98263" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: BCCI/IPL</figcaption></figure>



Even if Royal Challengers Bangalore haven?t won any IPL title. But it?s fair to say that they are the most entertaining team in the tournament. The Faf du Plessis-led side has displayed a staggering brand of cricket ever since the league started in 2008.?



India?s very best Virat Kohli and various other superstars have been part of the franchise and have displayed a remarkable brand of cricket. They have kept fans entertained in every season and also are the owners of the highest score in the league.&nbsp;



They will resume their title hunt this year as well and it?s fair to say that with the kind of talent and firepower they have in their team, it?s fair to say that if they play to their potential they can win their maiden title as well. The Faf du Plessis-led outfit will open their campaign against Mumbai Indians on 2nd April at Chinnaswamy Stadium.?



Read Also:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2023-ranking-all-ipl-10-teams-based-on-their-potential-set-of-all-rounders/">?</a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2023-ranking-all-ipl-10-teams-based-on-their-potential-set-of-all-rounders/">IPL 2023: Ranking All IPL 10 Teams Based on Their Potential set of All?rounders</a>



They have a combination of young talent along with experience this year and their squad this time looks pretty balanced as compared to last year. Many fans and pundits have backed them to win the league this time and the latest to join the bandwagon is Sanjay Manjrekar. The former Indian cricketer has backed RCB to win the IPL. Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, he said:?"Yes, I feel RCB will win in this IPL 2023 title.??



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Royal Challengers Bangalore predicted XI for the first game of the IPL 2023 against Mumbai Indians?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/RCB.jpg" alt="IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore Strongest Playing11, RCB Playing11 &amp; Squad" class="wp-image-90021" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: IPL</figcaption></figure>



Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have a few injury concerns. Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Rajat Patidar and Wanindu Hasranga are doubtful to start the first game. However, as the tournament will progress they will field the full-strength XI.?



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Let?s take a look at the Royal Challengers Bangalore?s predicted XI for the first game against Mumbai Indians:&nbsp;



Faf du Plessis (c)? Fin Allen? Virat Kohli? Suryash Prabhudesai? Michael Bracewell? Shahbaz Ahmed? Dinesh Karthik (wk)? Karan Sharma? Harshal Patel? Reece Topley? Mohammed Siraj?



Here's RCB squad for the IPL 2023: 



Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Finn Allen, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Karn Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep, Avinash Singh, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, R Sonu Yadav?



Visit?<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC CRICKET SCHEDULE</a>?for more cricketing updates.

?I feel they will win this IPL 2023,? Sanjay Manjrekar predicts his winner for IPL 16

i-feel-they-will-win-this-ipl-2023-sanjay-manjrekar-predicts-his-winner-for-ipl-16

IND vs WI: 3 New batters &amp; bowlers for Test squad, India?s Test Squad for West Indies series : Team India's two-match test assignment has become crucial for the BCCI, as it looks to resurrect its performance in the marquee multi-lateral events. While India has managed to perform well throughout the group or league stages of any tournament, the hit it has been taking for a decade in the important knockout matches has somewhat hurt the team's aspirations.



Recently, Rohit Sharma-led India faced a harsh defeat against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023. The 209 run-defeat against the Aussies will not settle anytime soon until significant reforms are not made on the Indian side.



It is important to note that, a few senior members of the Indian team have come under scrutiny following their poor show in the WTC final 2023. 



The Test figures of skipper Rohit Sharma, although soared in 2021 and 2022, however, they aren't justifying his stature anymore. He has often found ways to get dismissed in innocuous deliveries by playing unnecessary shots after negating the dangerous spells.



Similarly, Cheteshwar Pujara's numbers are also a sign of concern for the Indian side. Although he performed well during his recent county stint, his runs have dried in the Indian colours.



Talking about Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, who still are going strong, they are also under scrutiny. While Rahane,35, made a commendable comeback in the WTC final, it remains a question as to how long he can hold his position in the team with that age factor coming into play. Virat Kohli, on the other side, is also far from his beast version, although, he has managed to gain some momentum in the test format. 



The aforementioned four players form India's heavy top and middle order, which now is nearing its twilight. So the BCCI will have to plan and strategise ahead for the bright future of the Indian test side.



With the senior pros not having a ball of a time in the field, the young players must be given fair opportunities to slide into the side and pose as serious competition for the playing spot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs WI: Start rewarding young players: Sanjay Manjrekar</h2>



Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar reckons BCCI should now start rewarding the players who are consistently doing good in first-class cricket. 



"About time we start rewarding the guys who are doing well in first-class cricket," said Sanjay Manjrekar. "And not just runs. The selectors could look at players who have it in them to be future Test players and succeed in foreign conditions."



He further said he would love to see three new batters and bowlers get the national call-up for the upcoming two-match IND vs WI test series, which begins on July 12 in Dominica.



"I would like to see at least three new batters come into play in the picture and new fast bowlers,"&nbsp;he said.



Manjrekar also dissected what served as one of the key ingredients of Australia's success in the ICC WTC 2023 Final against India. 



"The game changers for Australia in the WTC final - Steve Smith and Travis Head - don't play a lot of T20 cricket. So we have to find guys who are not going to be fatigued or don't have to make the adjustments from IPL to Test cricket."



Manjrekar reckons India again needs to work on its pace bowling lineup and form a new set of players, who are match ready at any given moment. Team India had a certain depth in the bowling with the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna among others.



However, suddenly with the injuries to a couple of pacers, the fast-bowling lineup became thin and dull and there was too much responsibility on Mohammed Siraj and Shami.



"Just a few months back I was taking pride in the depth that we have in our seam-bowling department and suddenly Bumrah is not fit. There are quite fit others like Prasidh Krishna so maybe for Test cricket, India needs to create a new line of fast bowlers. Now you should look for specific test players. If somebody gets injured, we should have backups ready. Like Scott Boland. Came in straightaway and made an impact. We had to go back to Umesh Yadav which is not a good sign," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India's Test Squad for West Indies Series - Prediction</h2>



The BCCI could use the opportunity to hand national call-up to the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Eshwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Mukesh Kumar and Rajat Patidar. 



India's Test squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Eshwaran, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Sarfaraz Khan, Ishan Kishan, Srikar Bharat, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-pak-icc-bcci-refuse-pakistans-request-to-change-venues-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2023/">IND vs PAK: ICC, BCCI refuse Pakistan?s request to change venues for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023</a>



For more details head to BCCI?s official&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bcci.tv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website.</a>

IND vs WI: 3 New batters &amp; bowlers for Test squad, India?s Test Squad for West Indies series

ind-vs-wi-3-new-batters-bowlers-for-test-squad-indias-test-squad-for-west-indies-series

Eden Gardens Kolkata Weather Clears Up! Sun Shines as Shah Rukh Khan Arrives to Cheer KKR at Grand Ceremony

eden-gardens-kolkata-weather-clears-up-sun-shines-as-shah-rukh-khan-arrives-to-cheer-kkr-at-grand-ceremony

Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has made his prediction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Mumbai Indians announced as winners of IPL 2025, Orange Cap and Purple cap prediction made by Michael Vaughan

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Unstoppable! Pakistani Player hits 162 run in 72 Balls | Rewrite National T20 History

unstoppable-pakistani-player-hits-162-run-in-72-balls-rewrite-national-t20-history

IPL 2025 is all set to begin with KKR taking on RCB at the historic Eden Gardens. If the weather permits, we could witness a firecracker of a contest under the iconic floodlights of Eden Gardens!

sanjay manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar backs Hardik Pandya for pure number 6 batsmen in ODIs

Ian Chappell reckons Ravi Ashwin as a better spinner than Nathan Lyon

Ravi Ashwin takes a hilarious dig at Sanjay Manjrekar?s tweet stating ?Ashwin is not all time great?

ICC WTC Final: Ravindra Jadeja?s selection for his batting skills backfired India, says Sanjay Manjrekar

Vivo IPL 2021: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not 100 per cent fit in the IPL, says Sanjay Manjrekar

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IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar

?I feel they will win this IPL 2023,? Sanjay Manjrekar predicts his winner for IPL 16

IND vs WI: 3 New batters & bowlers for Test squad, India?s Test Squad for West Indies series

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Eden Gardens Kolkata Weather Clears Up! Sun Shines as Shah Rukh Khan Arrives to Cheer KKR at Grand Ceremony

Mumbai Indians announced as winners of IPL 2025, Orange Cap and Purple cap prediction made by Michael Vaughan

Unstoppable! Pakistani Player hits 162 run in 72 Balls | Rewrite National T20 History

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sanjay manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar backs Hardik Pandya for pure number 6 batsmen in ODIs

Ian Chappell reckons Ravi Ashwin as a better spinner than Nathan Lyon

Ravi Ashwin takes a hilarious dig at Sanjay Manjrekar?s tweet stating ?Ashwin is not all time great?

ICC WTC Final: Ravindra Jadeja?s selection for his batting skills backfired India, says Sanjay Manjrekar

Vivo IPL 2021: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not 100 per cent fit in the IPL, says Sanjay Manjrekar

Vivo IPL 2021: Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that IPL 2021 was the most frustrating IPL to watch

Sanjay Manjrekar hails Hardik Pandya for his tremendous comeback after injury

IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar

?I feel they will win this IPL 2023,? Sanjay Manjrekar predicts his winner for IPL 16

IND vs WI: 3 New batters &amp; bowlers for Test squad, India?s Test Squad for West Indies series

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Eden Gardens Kolkata Weather Clears Up! Sun Shines as Shah Rukh Khan Arrives to Cheer KKR at Grand Ceremony

Mumbai Indians announced as winners of IPL 2025, Orange Cap and Purple cap prediction made by Michael Vaughan

Unstoppable! Pakistani Player hits 162 run in 72 Balls | Rewrite National T20 History

Eden Gardens Pitch Report For KKR vs RCB, Match 1, Weather Forecast, and All You Need To Know!

Nigeria vs Rwanda Highlights : Osimhen’s Stunning Goal Seals Win as Nigeria Revives 2026 World Cup Qualification Hopes

IND vs WI: 3 New batters & bowlers for Test squad, India?s Test Squad for West Indies series