SA vs IND: Sanjay Manjrekar suggests key changes for India before final ODI

Team India suffered a seven-wicket loss in the second ODI against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl on Friday despite having posted a competitive total on the board. As a result of this loss, the visitors have lost the series as well with one game left.

With the series lost, cricketer-turned-cricket pundit Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested the Indian team make a few changes in the dead-rubber third ODI which will be played at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday as the Men In Blue look forward to salvaging pride by avoiding a clean sweep.

“In batting, Suryakumar Yadav should be included. We’ve seen Shikhar Dhawan, he’s a ready-made option for big matches and has shown good form too. So you can rest him and open with Venkatesh Iyer to fit Suryakumar Yadav in the middle-order. Deepak Chahar should come in place for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I saw him in Sri Lanka, he bowled really well so you should test him”, said Sanjay Manjrekar while speaking to ESPNcricinfo.

Sanjay Manjrekar also wants Jasprit Bumrah to be rested

At the same time, the former Mumbai batter also opined that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah can also be rested for the game with youngster Prasidh Krishna or Test specialist Mohammed Siraj replacing him. In the spin department, Manjrekar wants Jayant Yadav to replace senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as the former can provide some depth in batting.

“If you want to give Jasprit Bumrah some rest then you can look towards Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj. And Jayant Yadav in place of Ashwin. There will be a comparison between Ashwin and Jayant Yadav’s 10 overs but Jayant Yadav will also bring some batting”, he added.

It remains to be seen whether the team management will stick to the same team or make some changes to test the bench strength as the Men In Blue hope to sign off with a consolation win. Prior to the ODI series, India had lost the Test series 2-1 from a position of strength after having drawn first blood in Centurion. The Indian team are yet to register their first win in 2022.