Former India batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar raised concerns over Team India’s fast bowling resources after their 3-1 defeat in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Questioning India’s team selection, Manjrekar stated that in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence on Day 3 of the SCG Test, India’s bowling unit became a mockery. Notably, Australia beat India by six wickets in Sydney on Sunday, January 5 to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years and also seal their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final as well.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said: “Going in with two (three) seam bowlers and one Nitish Kumar Reddy on a pitch like that was just crazy. You saw it became just a mockery when Bumrah wasn’t there. They had to just bowl Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna before Siraj had to eventually leave the field. That is what you have to be really disappointed about.”

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya shares happiness after winning back the love of fans

The veteran further added that Team India struggled to leave a mark with the ball in BGT 2024-25 because of the lack of experience in the pace bowling department. He also asked India to take a look at their resources as well.

“India were carrying two-three inexperienced seamers. Harshit Rana impressed in one game. Second game lackluster, dropped for the third Test. Akash Deep played a couple of matches, Prasidh Krishna comes in (after Akash Deep got injured). So they didn’t stick to one bowler. India need to look at their bowling. I wonder whether India can also think of having a speedster. There are couple who are out there. That’s a focus area for India,” he concluded.