Monumental Comment of an Ex-India Star on Team Selection
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar of team India has opined that the team management could give Mukesh Kumar a chance in the second Test against South Africa, starting January 3 in Cape Town. However, he also added that it would be unfair to Prasidh Krishna if he was dropped. Manjrekar also pointed out that had there been previous management during the Ravi Shastri-Virat Kohli era, it would have made changes in the playing XI, saying that the former coach-caption duo was "trigger-happy.".
Manjrekar said, “It will be a little harsh to drop Prasidh Krishna after one because, if you look at him, he is not somebody who hits the deck hard. He sort of uses his height. Anything that he pitches up is a bit floaty. The only ball that has a bit of pace and strength are short balls.”
He further said, “If Mukesh Kumar plays, I don’t think too many people will be unhappy. They will be looking at how he is bowling in the nets and wondering if it is fair on Prasidh Krishana because that is something the new management cares about, giving him a fair run.
"The earlier team management would have been ruthless. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were sort of trigger-happy with such things. These guys (current management) might give one more go... But since it is a two-match series, they might be keen to make changes."