Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has shared that he would be shocked if Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manjrekar also opined that it would be pointless if Team India lose the next Test match in Bumrah’s absence and the pacer then returns for the final match as well.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said, “There is no point in resting for this one and then losing the series and coming in for the final one. Plus, the ideal gap too. The first Test match, when he bowled in the second innings, he looked a little jaded and flat. You felt that he’s feeling the load. Here [at Lord’s], he was very keen to bowl that final spell as well. He bowled a slightly longer spell because he knew there was a big gap. The first time I was surprised when he didn’t play the second Test, but this one, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t play.”

During the same discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar also backed Sai Sudharsan to return to the playing XI in Manchester and occupy the all-important No. 3 slot. He was dropped after being handed his Test debut in Leeds, which the veteran believes was the wrong move.

“Sai Sudharsan was always my No. 3. After the first Test match, there was some promise shown with 30 runs. And, when you have flat pitches and one of England’s weakest bowling attacks, you want to play your young players.”Karun Nair at No. 3, I didn’t agree with. Maybe the team management might just want to prove that we are backing the right horse and give him one more match. That’s something that happens. But, I would like to see Sai Sudharsan at No. 3,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.