SA vs IND: Sanjay Manjrekar bats for Mukesh Kumar's inclusion in Cape Town Test

Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar advocated for fast bowler Mukesh Kumar's inclusion in India's lineup against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Mukesh, who made his Test debut against the West Indies last year at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, where he managed to secure two wickets, has earned Manjrekar's backing due to his suitability to the Cape Town conditions. 

Manjrekar advised against including Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna in the same XI and emphasised on the need for a balanced unit. Highlighting Mukesh's potential for the challenging conditions and suggesting strategic alterations, the 58-year-old stated that the pacer's inclusion could be vital as they aim to level the series in the crucial encounter.

"From what we have seen in the first Test, I don't expect Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna to play together in the second Test. There will definitely be one change. If Ravindra Jadeja is fit, it will strengthen our batting. So, if Mukesh Kumar is bowling well in the nets, he could be brought in. He is more suited to these conditions," Manjrekar was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

All you can do is hope that the pitch is a bit easier to bat on: Sanjay Manjrekar

India, trailing 0-1 in the series after an innings loss in the opening Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion, face an uphill task. Manjrekar suggested that skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are likely to support Yashasvi Jaiswal despite his first Test failure. Expressing hope for an improved pitch in Cape Town, the veteran anticipates a more balanced contest in the upcoming match.

"Since it is a two-match series, you are sometimes forced to make some changes. However, I don't think India will make any major changes to their batting lineup. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would have seen how Yashasvi Jaiswal played in the first innings, and they would continue to back him. You cannot change things with the selection when it comes to batting. All you can do is hope that the pitch is a bit easier to bat on," Manjrekar added.