The 1st Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at Perth is set to begin on November 22, is crucial for both India and Australia, as they currently sit at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table.
With both teams vying for a place in the final, this encounter will be pivotal. India, aiming to recover from an unexpected home defeat against New Zealand, seeks to regain its winning momentum. Meanwhile, Australia is focused on preventing a third straight Test series loss to India on their home turf. In light of these stakes, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has shared his thoughts on India’s ideal playing XI for this high-pressure match, making some bold and unconventional selections.
Unconventional batting choices against Australia
Manjrekar has chosen to play Abhimanyu Easwaran as the opener alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite Easwaran’s lack of experience in the Indian team. He believes Easwaran’s remarkable performances in domestic cricket make him the best option for the opening role, rather than opting for KL Rahul, who has not been in prime form. Manjrekar emphasizes that picking Easwaran is based on his consistent first-class record, which should not be overlooked for a couple of warm-up games in unfamiliar conditions. According to Manjrekar, this move is the “right thing” to do.
“I said in the past as well, try and do the right thing. You picked him as an opener because of his tremendous performance at the first-class level. And if you’re not going to value that and go buy a couple of warmup matches in conditions that you’ve been exposed to for the first time, it’s not the right thing to do, and it’s not like KL Rahul. An opening option is setting the stage on fire, so I’ll stick with Easwaran at the top for those reasons,” Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.
For the number three spot, Manjrekar has placed Dhruv Jurel after his impressive performance in the warm-up matches against Australia A, where he scored twin fifties. This decision, in the absence of Shubman Gill, highlights Jurel’s solid first-class record and his adaptability to the conditions. Despite the absence of Sarfaraz Khan in the playing XI, Manjrekar has positioned KL Rahul at number six, acknowledging that Rahul may find more comfort in the middle order rather than as an opener.
“It’s really about somebody who’s feeling a little bit comfortable in those conditions and Jurel has looked India best better in the warmer games and the past as well. In Test might look the part. He’s got a good first-class record, so just based on a current performance and being, you know smart about the resources available, rather have him at number three than somebody like KL Rahul,” the 59-year-old added.
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Key spin options for the Perth Test
In a surprising move, Manjrekar has opted for two spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar – despite the fact that Perth is traditionally known for favoring fast bowlers and more importantly omitted one of the best off-spinner currently, Ravichandran Ashwin. He pointed out that Sundar was in superb form against New Zealand, having taken 16 wickets in two Tests, while also contributing with the bat.
Manjrekar defended his decision by recalling India’s successful history with spinners in Perth, referencing the 1977 Test where India played three spinners, and the 2008 Test with Kumble, Sehwag, and Harbhajan. Manjrekar believes that quality spinners like Sundar and Jadeja can thrive in Perth, especially given their all-round abilities. Sundar’s batting depth makes him even more valuable in this selection.
“Well, there’s a track record of Indian cricket, trusting the spinners. One in 1977, when India played three spinners and it was a very close Test match. More recently Kumble and Sehwag playing as spinners. Sehwag got a couple of wickets, [including] Adam Gilchrist. So, I believe that if you’ve got quality bowlers, and after the kind of performance Washi showed in that last series. I mean, who has the heart and wants to drop somebody like him plus the kind of batting depth he had? So, I would rather sacrifice a pace bowler and have somebody like Washi,” the cricketer-turned-commentator stated.
Manjrekar also defended his decision to sacrifice one fast bowler in favor of Sundar, stating that it’s a pragmatic approach given the current resources available. He praised Sundar’s performance and expressed his surprise at anyone wanting to leave him out of the playing XI, especially considering his contribution both with the ball and bat in Australia.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s vision for the bowling attack
Manjrekar’s bold decision to play two spinners in a Test match in Perth stands in contrast to conventional thinking. He believes that Sundar and Jadeja can make a significant impact, especially in conditions where spinners can exploit the bounce.
While Perth is known for favoring fast bowlers, Manjrekar argues that Sundar has earned his spot with his impressive performances, including his runs with the bat in the previous series. He noted that while the history of Perth suggests fast bowlers should dominate, the combination of Sundar’s form and Jadeja’s experience provides India with a solid spin attack.
“Absolutely, I can stand on the rooftops and defend my playing XI because it is the most pragmatic approach to the playing XI rather than going back to convention and past as well. Just looking today and the kind of limited resources that you have in this kind of [situation] where you have very few players to choose from. You have a Washington Sundar who’s had a brilliant series and the thing that if you got bounce, some spinners can make a mark and Washi could be one of those and he’s already got runs as a batter in Australia. I mean, how can you leave Washington Sundar out is my question and that’s why He’s forced his way into the playing XI despite the kind of history that Perth has,” Manjrekar concluded.
Manjrekar’s playing XI reflects a modern approach that values adaptability and current form over traditional expectations. He believes that in the right conditions, even spinners can make their mark, and Sundar, with his all-round skills, is one of the best options for India in this scenario. His confidence in Sundar and Jadeja shows a commitment to optimizing the available resources, rather than adhering strictly to conventional strategies.
To balance the bowling lineup, he retained three pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. However, he acknowledged the possibility of the management opting for an extra seamer, like Nitish Reddy, in place of a spinner.
Manjrekar’s predicted India XI for the First Test at Perth
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- KL Rahul
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah (C)
- Mohammed Siraj
- Akash Deep