When selecting his India XI for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, Sanjay Manjrekar chooses Ravindra Jadeja over R Ashwin.

When India plays South Africa on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has hinted that his team would choose to use a single frontline spinner. Manjrekar, who is renowned for his perceptive views, has chosen all-round player Ravindra Jadeja over the top-ranked Test bowler, R Ashwin, who can also bat.

“Because it’s not known to be a turning pitch, if it is a rank turner or a pitch that is likely to turn a lot, then maybe India might have two spinners,” Manjrekar said to ESPNcricinfo.

Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, Manjrekar said, showcasing Jadeja’s ability to bat well abroad. Just his batting contributions in overseas Test matches are the reason he is my choice above Ravichandran Ashwin. Thus, at No. 7, he turns into that special spinner.”

It seems that Manjrekar made his decision because of Ashwin’s poor performance during the previous tour of South Africa. The off-spinner had a difficult time during the previous tour, taking just three wickets in six innings. However, Jadeja’s injury during that same series left a hole that India is eager to cover this time around.

Remember that Shardul claimed seven wickets in the most recent series in South Africa? Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar also argued for depth in the batting order, stressing the importance of having an extra batter lower in the lineup. “In the first Test match, you just want your batting to have some cushion of an extra batter down the order,” he said, selecting Shardul Thakur to start at number eight. In addition, it should be remembered that Shardul claimed seven wickets in the last South African series.”

Thakur’s outstanding performance on the previous trip, during which he took 11 wickets and included an incredible seven-wicket haul, appears to have had a significant impact on Manjrekar.