Sanjay Manjrekar says Nitish Kumar Reddy’s absence will not create much imbalance ahead of 4th Test against England

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Nitish Kumar Reddy’s absence will not create much imbalance in the fourth Test against England. Reddy had taken three wickets in two Test matches against England at an average of 37.

The all-rounder also could manage only 45 runs in four innings at an average of 11.25. Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series because of a knee injury, which he suffered in the gym.

Manjrekar wants India to replace Reddy with a pure batter as there have been a number of collapses in the series.

“I do not think it will create much imbalance or the Indian team will suddenly become weak because Nitish Kumar Reddy helped as a bowler in the last match but Akash Deep was off color. I do not think Nitish not being there will create much imbalance. Maybe India should replace him with a pure batter because we have seen collapses in the previous game and we were slightly short of batting in that run-chase,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo. 

On the other hand, Manjrekar backed Anshu Kamboj to make his Test debut. Kamboj recently picked five wickets against England Lions in two unofficial Test matches at an average of 26.20. Manjrekar picked Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the other two pacers.

“There might be cloudy conditions at Old Trafford. Then you need simple bowlers there. Maybe Prasidh Krishna is better suited if there is bounce on the pitch and he is slightly experienced as well. But if he is out of the team based on his form then bringing him back on the same form does not make sense. So I feel Anshul Kamboj should get an opportunity. He can use the conditions well. I feel Siraj, Bumrah, and Kamboj should be the three seamers,” Sanjay Manjrekar said. 

The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.