Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has backed wicket-keeper Rajat Patidar to play in the second India vs England Test in Vizag, which starts on Friday, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. He clarified that picking Sarfaraz Khan as a replacement for KL Rahul would be an ‘overreaction’.
Patidar was added to the Indian squad after Virat Kohli had opted out of the first two Tests, and later Sarfaraz too, was picked, after Rahul suffered a hamstring injury. “Rajat Patidar comes in for KL Rahul, because he was the one you have got to go back to as per the hierarchy,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.
“That would be an overreaction (picking Patidar over Sarfaraz). Patidar is a capable player, he has already played for India A. Let’s not overreact and try and suddenly look for players who play spin well or can sweep well, as that is England’s way of winning matches.
“India, over the years, have dominated foreign teams on turning pitches. India just have to find out whether the three new batters that we keep talking about, find a way of surviving,” Manjrekar added.
Apart from that, Manjrekar spoke about another straightforward change. He wants Kuldeep Yadav in place of Ravindra Jadeja. “Kuldeep Yadav walks in straightaway for Jadeja,” Manjrekar added.
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