Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was critical about the team management's decision to drop Sai Sudharsan from the playing XI for the second Test. The young batter had made his Test debut in the first match at Headingley and despite recording a duck in the first innings, he did play a gritty cameo of 30 on the second occasion.
Manjrekar stated that he was left surprised with Sudharsan getting dropped from the team as the 23-year-old had managed to play a decent knock in the second innings.
"There were some very interesting selections made in the last game which I didn't agree with. In the end, a win can put a cover on those decisions. I thought Sai Sudharsan, after just one match, would be left out, considering he is a young player that we are looking at for the future. He played pretty okay in the second innings. I'd like to stick with him but this team management is slightly different and they are not afraid to chop and change depending on the vibe," Manjrekar said in an ESPNcricinfo video.
Manjrekar feels that Sudharsan should bat at No.3 in Lord's Test
The former India batter further remarked that it was unfair to drop Sudharsan in the second Test and added that the youngster should be made to bat at the No.3 position in the match at Lord's which is set to commence from July 10.
"I would like to see Sai Sudharsan at number three. Karun Nair is not a number three player in my book. It is unfair to drop him after one Test if everyone is getting big hundreds. I think Sai deserves that opportunity as well," Manjrekar added.
Though Manjrekar does feel that Karun Nair isn't suitable to bat at the No.3 spot, he came out in support of the veteran batter and stated that the 33-year-old should be given one more chance in the series despite his poor form so far.
"I would like Karun Nair to get one more chance just because of the story around his selection and comeback," Manjrekar stated.
It will certainly be interesting to see what changes the team management decides to make to India's playing XI for the crucial third Test. With the series level at 1-1, both teams will be looking to secure the all-important lead heading into the fourth Test at Old Trafford.