Sanjay Manjrekar Criticizes Rohit’s Decision as Jadeja Was Overlooked for Bowling Despite Bangladesh’s Left-Handed Batsmen
The ongoing Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur has sparked a debate around Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, particularly his decision not to utilize all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on the first day. While the match was interrupted by rain and only 35 overs could be bowled, many experts, including commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, have raised concerns about why Jadeja, a proven left-arm spinner, wasn’t given the ball, especially against Bangladesh’s left-handed top-order batsmen.
A Rain-Interrupted Day Leads to Strategic Questions
On September 27, the first day of the Kanpur Test began late due to rain, with only 35 overs being played. Bangladesh, batting first, managed to score 107 runs for the loss of three wickets. Captain Rohit Sharma had chosen to bowl first after winning the toss—a rare decision in Indian conditions where teams typically opt to bat first in Test matches. The reasoning behind this choice likely stemmed from the windy conditions in Kanpur, but it didn’t bring immediate success for India.
India’s fast bowlers, including Akash Deep, took two wickets, while veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed one. However, Jadeja, who could have been a key bowler against Bangladesh’s left-handers, was not given a single over, leaving many to wonder about the strategy behind Rohit’s decision.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s Critique: Missed Opportunity Against Left-Handers
Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian batsman and now a commentator, was quick to point out this puzzling decision. He took to social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to highlight Jadeja’s strong track record against left-handed batsmen, citing examples from the 2016 India-England series where Jadeja consistently troubled England’s left-handed former captain Alastair Cook. Jadeja dismissed Cook six times in eight innings, conceding only 75 runs to him.
Manjrekar argued that Jadeja should have been introduced into the attack early, given that the first four batsmen in Bangladesh’s lineup were left-handers. The statistics make it clear: Jadeja has claimed 102 of his 299 Test wickets against left-handers. Manjrekar’s suggestion was that Rohit might have missed a golden opportunity to put pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen by not deploying Jadeja on the first day.
The Logic Behind Skipping Jadeja: Was It a Mistake?
The debate over Rohit’s choice centers on the conventional wisdom of bowling right-arm off-spinners like Ashwin against left-handed batsmen. Off-spinners tend to bowl outside the off-stump, creating difficulty for left-handers. On the other hand, left-arm spinners like Jadeja usually avoid bowling to left-handers, as they are believed to find it easier to play such deliveries.
However, Jadeja’s career statistics show that he has been highly effective against left-handed batsmen, making the decision to not use him questionable. In Test cricket, Jadeja’s 102 wickets against left-handers demonstrate his ability to trouble them, and Manjrekar’s critique adds weight to the argument that Rohit missed a tactical opportunity on the rain-shortened first day.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Decision to Bowl First
In addition to the specific choice of not using Jadeja, Rohit’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss also raised eyebrows. In Indian conditions, it’s uncommon for a team to opt for bowling first, especially on pitches like Kanpur’s, which tend to favor spinners later in the match. The Indian fast bowlers didn’t get the support they were hoping for from the pitch, and after 35 overs, Bangladesh managed to lose only three wickets.
While it’s still early in the match, and the situation may change, the first day’s play has left room for questions about Rohit’s tactical decisions. The rest of the match will likely reveal whether his strategy was justified or if a different approach, especially in utilizing Jadeja, could have made a bigger impact.
