Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has pointed out a significant weakness in the Indian cricket team: the lack of all-rounders. “We currently rely on specialist bowlers and batters,” said Manjrekar. Over the years, the Indian team has struggled with the issue of having multiple all-rounders, especially in crucial ICC events.
Hardik Pandya has been the team’s primary all-rounder for a considerable period, but the team has not been able to develop another player of similar capability. Axar Patel is being groomed as a spinning all-rounder, but his performances have largely been confined to Test matches. As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Indian team has brought in Shivam Dube as another potential all-rounder.
However, Dube has not been actively bowling recently, neither for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL nor for the Indian team. He did get an opportunity to bowl against Afghanistan in the T20I series in January and performed reasonably well. Manjrekar highlighted this situation, drawing a comparison with Australia, which has successfully produced several all-rounders.
“Lack of all-rounders is a bit of a weakness for Team India. If you look at Australia, their batters like Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green can bowl four overs in a match. I think that’s why the Indian team has brought Shivam Dube into the side to mitigate the limitations that come with a lack of all-rounders,” said Manjrekar at Star Sports Press Room.
He further explained that this shortage of all-rounders could be exacerbated by the impact substitute rule in the IPL.
“Yes, it’s a small weakness, and now with the impact substitute rule in the IPL, this problem might increase. We currently rely on specialist bowlers and batters, but in this World Cup, the team will need to make some adjustments, and someone will have to bowl at least two to three overs in a match,” he added.
