Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar analyzed the poor performances of Abhimanyu Easwaran and K.L. Rahul in the second match between India A and Australia A and also gave important advice to players embarking on their first tour of the country. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins with the Perth Test on November 22, KL and Easwaran got much-needed playing time in Australian conditions during the two unofficial Tests against Australia A. While Easwaran failed to reach the 20-run mark in all four innings. The hard-hitting, experienced KL also failed to deliver, scoring 4 and 10 in the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
This puts their participation in the first Test in Perth in doubt. Indian captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the match due to personal reasons and the battle for the top spot is between these two players.
Speaking in an ESPNCricinfo video, Manjrekar said the dismissal of Indian batters is very similar to what any Indian batter would experience during his first game in Australia. He also added that the Indian team goes on tour as “unconfident” after losing the home series to New Zealand, with key players like Rohit and Virat Kohli out of form.
Manjrekar also gave advice, urging Indian batters to get rid of their “Indian instincts” while batting and adapt to the Australian conditions.
“I think in a lot of ways India went there (Australia) a little bit unsure because of what happened just before this tour (3-0 loss to New Zealand at home) and their main players Rohit and Virat were clearly out of form,” Manjrekar said. .
“The dismissal you saw on most Indian batters was typical of an Indian batter going to Australia and a pitch that has a little bit of juice in it, where they instinctively bowl in a certain manner and are surprised by the extra bounce, and that has happened to all of us “
“We went to Australia and so we needed time to get used to the bounce and the instinctive play a little higher than you. So you have to get rid of your Indian instincts. KL and Easwaran are not a good start. Therefore, the struggle between them is heating up even more,” he concluded.
While Easwaran may make his international debut after 101 first-class matches, 7674 runs and 27 centuries, KL has plenty of experience in Australia. In the match against Australia, KL scored 618 runs in 19 innings at an average of 34.33, with a century and six fifties and a best individual score of 110. However, in five matches in Australia, KL’s performance was poor: he scored 187 runs in nine innings at an average of 20 .77, with a century to his name.
The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia starts on November 22 with the first Test in Perth.
The second day-night Test will take place under the lights at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Fans will then turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.
The traditional Boxing Day Test, scheduled from December 26 to 30 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, will be the penultimate edition of the series.
The fifth and final Test will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an exciting climax to the highly anticipated series.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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