‘Good signs for Indian cricket’ – Sanjay Manjrekar compares India’s pace troika to Pakistan’s historic team

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckoned that India’s current pace attack, comprising of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, is right up there with Pakistan’s historic fast bowling attack. Virat Kohli and Co. are currently leading the Test series against South Africa 1-0 after winning the opening Test by 113 runs at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Although KL Rahul got the Player of the Match award, it was the pacers, who restricted the Proteas batting. Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers with eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Manjrekar said that India have been successful in overseas conditions mostly due to their dominating bowling attack.

Sanjay Manjrekar has his say

“One thing that has changed in recent 5-6 years for the Indian team, which has been a rare instance for India. India’s overseas success comes because India now has the luxury of having three world class seam bowlers. It has had a huge impact,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

“If you look at the history of Test cricket, earlier when Pakistan used to win outside their country, they too had 3 world class seamers. And now India find themselves in the same condition. These are good signs for Indian cricket,” he stated.

Pakistan, during the early 2000s, were known for their lethal pace attack, consisting of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar. All three bowlers were known for seaming and swinging the ball at sheer pace.

Manjrekar was also of the opinion that the likes of Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer should get a bit more chances to show their mettle. However, as per the veteran, the Indian team management may continue persisting with Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 48 runs in the first innings of the Centurion Test.

“The team management is backing Rahane. India have won the first Test, and Rahane scored 48 runs in the first innings as well. So, he might get another shot. But they should also think about Vihari and Shreyas Iyer. The more chances Rahane gets, the fewer chances the other guys will have. So, this needs to be discussed,” Rahane added.

The second Test of the three-match series is scheduled to get underway on Monday, January 3 at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.