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'At Least 3 New Batters And New Fast Bowlers,' Sanjay Manjrekar Demands Rejig in India's Test Setup 

image-lj6tcx6rIndia are set to tour West Indies next month [AP Photo]

After India's humiliating loss in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 against Australia, calls for changes in the Test side are on the rise. With several spots available within the Test squad, former cricket Sanjay Manjrekar believes that India needs to reward players, who do well in the Ranji Trophy back home.

The main gripe for India lately has been players being unable to adjust to the five-day format, while excelling in the T20 format. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar gave the example of Steve Smith and Travis Head, who displayed their prowess in WTC Final, despite not playing any T20 cricket. 


Here's what Manjrekar said:

"The game changers for Australia in the WTC final - Steve Smith and Travis Head - don't play a lot of T20 cricket. So we have to find guys who are not going to be fatigued or don't have to make the adjustments from IPL to Test cricket." 

"About time we start rewarding the guys who are doing well in first-class cricket. And not just runs. The selectors could look at players who have it in them to be future Test players and succeed in foreign conditions. I would like to see at least three new batters come into play in the picture and new fast bowlers."

With India's upcoming tour of the West Indies, the selectors are expected to rope in young blood and move ahead from players who have failed to perform time and again in key moments.

The two-Test series begins on July 12 with the first match being played at Roseau, while the second  will be held at Port of Spain on July 20.