Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar says Rohit Sharma made critical errors as captain during the two Tests against South Africa.
On Day 2 of the second Test, Manjrekar criticized Rohit for not putting Mohammed Siraj on from the other end as Jasprit Bumrah was getting wickets from one end.
Instead, the Indian skipper bowled to Prasidh Krishna, who let up 20 runs in his first over against a rampaging Aiden Markram.
Manjrekar believes the visitors were fortunate that the error did not cost them much because Siraj had done all the damage in the first innings before picking up Markram’s wicket in the second.
Following the conclusion of the Test series, Sanjay Manjrekar spoke to ESPNCricinfo on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy (9:56):
If you lose moments in Test cricket, you lose the game. Rohit made blunders in both Tests, and although the first cost us dearly, luckily Siraj had made accommodation for the second.
It was a mistake for Siraj to bowl only one over while Markram was scoring and the advantage had grown to 60.
Sanjay Manjrekar discusses Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test prospects
Sanjay Manjrekar feels Rohit Sharma has the skill and temperament of a typical old-school Test hitter and that his position is safe as long as he wants to play.
He also believes Virat Kohli will play for the foreseeable future and believes he is now India’s top Test hitter with Rishabh Pant out injured.
Rohit Sharma is one of the last remaining old-school Test batsmen. Only he knows how much Test cricket he wishes to play.
I believe he will have no competition if he wishes to continue his Test career. Virat Kohli, I believe, will play as long as feasible, fortunately for us.
This tour in difficult circumstances is all that stands between him and the next greatest Test batsman India has till Rishabh Pant returns.
India currently has a lengthy home season, beginning with three Twenty20 Internationals against Afghanistan, followed by a five-match Test series against England.
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