NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has offered insights into India's commanding performance in the Test series against England, highlighting the emergence of young talents and the country's depth in bowling.
In the aftermath of India's resounding victory in the fifth Test in Dharamsala, where Ravichandran Ashwin's five-wicket haul sealed a comprehensive win, Manjrekar commended the spinner's prowess, stating, "The arrival of Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep in that last Test match...there's just no getaway for a team that has been struggling with consistent form."
Reflecting on India's bowling unit, Manjrekar lauded the impact of Kuldeep, who exposed England's batting vulnerabilities in the first innings. He remarked, "When you have five bowlers of the likes of Bumrah, Akash Deep in the last Test, Siraj here, and then three spinners, where Kuldeep Yadav has made such rapid strides, there's just no getaway for a team that has been struggling with consistent form."
India's triumph in the Test series, extending their home series win streak to 17, was achieved despite the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and KL Rahul.
Manjrekar emphasized India's depth, acknowledging the debut performances of several young cricketers, including Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep, and Rajat Patidar.
Regarding the young batters, Manjrekar highlighted their potential but stressed the importance of evaluating their performances in overseas conditions.
He stated, "Let these guys play in Australia, England and other places, and then we'll see who are the long-term batters that India will rely on who will take the baton from the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara."
Manjrekar's assessment underscores India's depth in talent and the promising prospects for the future of Indian cricket. As the team continues its dominance in Test cricket, attention shifts towards nurturing and harnessing the potential of emerging talents to sustain India's success on the international stage.
