‘Rohit made mistakes in both tests’- Sanjay Manjrekar points out deficiencies in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in South Africa Tests

India managed to level the two-match test series against South Africa on their home turf. In general, India had a successful South Africa as they managed to level the test and T20I series by 1-1 and won the ODI series by 2-1 with a young team. The test series was a roller-coaster ride for the Indian team.

After facing a humiliating defeat by an innings and 32 runs, India was written off by many cricket analysts but what this Indian team has shown in the past is that they have a knack for bouncing back from adverse conditions, they again pulled it back by making a sensational comeback by winning the 2nd test at Cape Town by 7 wickets and registered their first ever win in Cape Town.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s analysis of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy

However, despite emerging victorious in the 2nd test, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar points out some glaring mistakes in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy that either cost India or could have cost India in the recently concluded test series against South Africa. 

He believed that Rohit Sharma made some tactical blunders in rotating his bowlers in both the tests which cost India heavily, especially in the first test. Manjrekar believed that Rohit could have brought Mohammed Siraj from the other end when Jasprit Bumrah was wreaking havoc on the South African batter from the other end by picking regular wickets. 

He thinks that at that moment Siraj could have complemented Bumrah well instead of Prasidh Krishna who leaked 20 runs in only one over taking South Africa’s lead in the 2nd test to 60 runs. Mohammed Siraj eventually picked up the wicket of Markram in the second innings of South Africa in Cape Town.

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo Manjrekar said, “In Test cricket, if you lose moments, you lose the game. Rohit made mistakes in both Tests and while it cost us massively in the first game, thankfully Siraj had given allowance for the second Test. Siraj bowling just one over when Markram was scoring and the lead swelled to 60 was a mistake."