'Tactical error': Sanjay Manjrekar on Rohit Sharma delaying introduction of spinners in Rajkot Test

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels Rohit Sharma might have made a tactical error while using his bowler against the ruthless English batting lineup in the ongoing third Test in Rajkot. After India wrapped up their first innings at 445 runs, England made a prolific start, with the opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett putting up an 89-run stand. Manjrekar reckons India could have broken the partnership if the spinners were sent early. His prediction turned true when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Crawley, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to claim 500 Test wickets. The wicket no doubt eased a significant amount of pressure from the home side, who were struggling to find the breakthrough. During an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar was asked to share his view on Rohit’s decision to use Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the fourth and fifth bowling options. The pacer duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj had failed to make an impact on the sluggish Rajkot track. After both fast bowlers completed their initial spells, Kuldeep Yadav was introduced. The move did not go down well with Manjrekar. “I thought it was an error. A tactical error. Ashwin bowled the first ball when the score was 72 and that’s a lot. Among the Indian spinners, Axar Patel included, I think Ashiwn is the only one who started to find a way to counter this new English approach of playing spin. He would have been my first-choice spinner. I couldn’t understand Kuldeep Yadav coming in at that stage,” he told ESPNCricinfo. Manjrekar further issued a stern warning, referring to the strength of the English batting line-up. He said, “These are the things that Rohit Sharma’s got to be careful about. He’s got to treat this opposition, who are very dangerous.” England finished the second day on a dominant note. On the back of a brilliant century by Duckett, the visitors had reached 207 runs at a loss of two wickets in just 35 overs. They, however, were bowled out for 319 on Day 3 with Siraj taking four wickets. Jadeja and Kuldeep snared two each while Bumrah and Ashwin got one each.