'Shardul Thakur plays because he can bat' - Sanjay Manjrekar on India's playing combination for Cape Town Test

Debutant Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Shardul Thakur had a rough time in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. Krishna picked up the wicket of Kyle Verreynne but leaked 93 runs in 20 overs while Thakur was even more expensive, conceding 101 runs in 19 overs for the wicket of Dean Elgar.

Prasidh is likely to be benched for the second and final Test of the series in Cape Town as Mukesh Kumar is waiting in the wings while the BCCI have also added Avesh Khan to the squad. The pacer replaced the injured Mohammed Shami in the squad and is the frontrunner to replace Prasidh, especially after picking up a fifer against South Africa A.

However, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that dropping Prasidh will be a bit harsh as he hits the deck hard. He added that the inclusion of Mukesh would not make the fans unhappy but expects Prasidh to get ample chances.

“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.

“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 think if it is fair on Prasidh Krishana because that is something the new management cares about, giving a fair run. The earlier team management would have been ruthless. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were trigger-happy with such things. These guys might give one more go. But it is a two-match series, they might be keen to make changes," Manjrekar said while talking to ESPNcricinfo.

Manjrekar also backed Thakur to retain his place for the Cape Town affair despite his underwhelming returns at Centurion. Explaining the reason behind Shardul's inclusion in away Tests, Manjrekar reckoned that his ability to bat comes in handy, something India prioritise particularly in foreign Tests.

"Shardul Thakur plays because he can bat. He plays especially in foreign conditions because India is always a little wary of their batting, and you saw why India is a little uncertain about their batting, and hence, Shardul Thakur tends to make the playing XI."