Sanjay Manjrekar Criticizes India's Decision to Bat Sarfaraz Khan at No. 8

In a controversial move during the third Test against New Zealand, India's decision to send Sarfaraz Khan to bat at the No. 8 spot has sparked significant criticism, particularly from former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. Sarfaraz, who has been in excellent form, averaging over 150 in his last six First-Class innings at Wankhede Stadium, found himself relegated in the batting order, leading to widespread disbelief among fans and analysts.

A Series of Poor Decisions

The match has been characterized by inconsistent performances, notably highlighted by Virat Kohli’s unfortunate run-out on Day 1. However, the decision to demote Sarfaraz Khan raised eyebrows the most. Following strong displays from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, the Indian batting order saw skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir opt for a left-right combination, which led to Sarfaraz batting far lower than his credentials warranted.

Manjrekar took to social media to express his frustrations, stating, "A guy in form, has 3 fifties in his first 3 Tests, gets 150 in the Bangalore Test, a good player of spin, pushed back in the order to keep left & right combination?? Makes no sense. Sarfaraz now walking in at no 8! Poor call by India," he posted on X.

Brief Stay at the Crease

Sarfaraz's batting position was not the only issue, as he did not last long when he finally came out to bat, falling for a duck after facing just four balls from New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel. His demotion to No. 8, especially at a venue where he has excelled, left many scratching their heads. In his six previous innings at Wankhede, Sarfaraz had accumulated an impressive 601 runs at an average of 150.25, with scores including a stunning 301*.

The decision to allow nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja to bat ahead of him—both of whom failed to make significant contributions (Siraj for 0 and Jadeja for 14)—further compounded the bewilderment.

Implications for Team India

This puzzling decision has drawn attention to broader issues within the Indian team's strategy, particularly in high-pressure situations. Sarfaraz's proven track record and recent form indicate that he would have been a valuable asset higher up the order, especially against a challenging New Zealand bowling attack. As India navigates this Test series, the team's management will need to reassess its batting strategy to ensure they capitalize on the talent available within the squad.