In the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022, Rohit Sharma-led Indian men’s cricket team did not reach the final of the tournament despite being one of the favourites to lift the trophy. The death over bowling emerged as the biggest cause of concern for the Men in Blue as the opposition took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners in the last few overs. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has opined that he was disheartened with the team’s performance after the Asia Cup 2022.
After the Asia Cup, India resumed cricketing action with a three-match T20I series against Australia – where the hosts lost the first contest despite putting 208 runs on board. It was the bowling in the death overs that once again cost India the game.
Speaking to Sports 18, Manjrekar opined that while he was pessimistic after India’s performance in Asia Cup 2022, he got to see some positives from the India-Australia 1st T20I and he is not that disappointed despite the loss.
“See after the Asia cup, I thought there were more wounds, deeper wounds. But this match actually has given me a lot of positives. The bowling issues will be easily addressed with Mohammed Shami being available and Bumrah coming back. So, there were real important positives. After the Asia cup, I was slightly disheartened and pessimistic. But after this loss to Australia, I’m not that depressed,” Manjrejar said.
In the 1st T20I, riding on a magnificent 30-ball 71* from star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, India ended up losing the game by 4 wickets as Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade smashed 45 runs off just 21 balls to give his team a 1-0 lead in the series.
Manjrekar also expressed concern over pacer Harshal Patel’s form, highlighting how is more effective on tracks which are slower.
“Harshal is someone we’ve seen for a number of years. We’ve seen him in the IPL as well. He’s a guy who rebels when the pitch is dry when his slower ball becomes really slow and becomes very difficult to play. Last time his slower balls were going at around 120kmph. So, it’s not a huge drop in pace. So, Harshal is a worry if the pitch is flat, bouncy and pacy. That’s what you’ll get in Australia. So that’s another thing that India will be mindful of, the skills of Harshal in Australia,” he added.
