Sanjay Manjrekar wants in-form Washington Sundar as second spinner for first IND vs AUS 2024 Test in Perth

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar wants India to play with two spinners in the opening Test match against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series. Manjrekar urged the Indian team management to include in-form Washington Sundar in the opener of the series.

Sundar ended as the highest wicket-taker in the Test series against New Zealand as he scalped 16 wickets in two matches at an average of 14.12. Furthermore, the left-hander scored 89 runs in two matches at an average of 44.50.

Meanwhile, Sundar scored a crucial knock of 62 runs in the first innings of the memorable Gabba Test match against Australia on the 2020-21 tour. Additionally, the off-spinner bagged a total of four wickets in that match while making his Test debut.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Well, there’s a track record of Indian cricket, trusting the spinners. One in 1977, when India played three spinners and it was very close Test match. More recently Kumble and Sehwag playing as spinners. Sehwag got a couple of wickets, [including] Adam Gilchrist.”

“So, I believe that if you’ve got quality bowlers and after the kind of performance of Washi showed in that last series. I mean, who has the heart and wants to drop somebody like him plus the kind of batting depth he had? So, I would rather sacrifice a pace bowler and have somebody like Washi,” he added.

India has mostly backed Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin as their first-choice spinner while playing overseas. 

While the Perth pitch is not known to assist the spinners, Manjrekar reckons it will be difficult to leave out an in-form Washington Sundar.

“Absolutely, I can stand on the rooftops and defend my playing XI because it is the most pragmatic approach to the playing XI rather than going back to convention and past as well. Just looking today and the kind of limited resources that you have in this kind of [situation] where you have very few players to choose from.”

“You have a Washington Sundar who’s had a brilliant series and plus the thing that if you got bounce, some spinners can make a mark and Washi could be one of those and he’s already got runs as a batter in Australia. I mean, how can you leave Washington Sundar out is my question and that’s why He’s forced his way into the playing XI despite the kind of history that Perth has,” he added.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.