Courtesy: BCCI/X
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has openly questioned Rohit Sharma & Co. on dropping Shubman Gill from the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne. In the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test, Rohit Sharma's side fielded two spinners bowling all-rounders with batter Shubman Gill missing out. Sanjay Manjrekar described the decision as harsh.
During the toss time on first morning of the fourth BGT Test, India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that Shubman Gill will be not taking the field, while Washington Sundar has been added to the playing eleven in his place. The skipper also stated that he will bat in the top order. "We would have batted first as well. The series is tied at 1-1, and this presents a great opportunity for us to show our mettle as a team. Regardless of the circumstances, we need to fight. Today is a new day, and we’re eager to get started. There’s one change – Gill misses out, and Washington comes in. When asked if he will bat at the top of the order? Absolutely, I will," said the Indian captain.
Strange selection: Sanjay Manjrekar terms Team India's lineup for 4th BGT Test
Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his thoughts on his official X account by criticizing what he called a "strange selection" of the India cricket team's playing XI at the MCG against Australia. He went on to say that replacing Gill with Sundar did little to improve the lineups of batting or bowling.
"The selection is quite odd. On a pitch that doesn’t offer much turn, this change neither enhances our bowling capabilities nor strengthens the batting lineup. Dropping Gill is definitely harsh," Manjrekar remarked on X. Meanwhile, Australia, on Thursday, won the toss and chose to bat against India in the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the BGT at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Currently, both teams are tied at 1-1, making this Test critical as both teams are competing for an important series lead that might play a significant part in their quest for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final next year.
