'His overseas batting has been sensational': Manjrekar feels star player's absence affects India

Team India came off to a struggling start in the first test against South Africa. Despite having the top draws like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they failed to contribute in their return match since the ODI World Cup Final. Apart from KL Rahul, the visitor team's batters haven't had a fruitful time on Day One of the first test match at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa. 

3 things you need to know 

• South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl in the first test match
• The IND-SA test match saw the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli since the ODI World Cup Final
• Team India lost crucial wickets, but KL Rahul helped Team India to score 208/8 and take the day to Stumps

Also Read: 'He's made himself undroppable...': Sunil Gavaskar reveres KL Rahul's latest heroics against SA

Former India batter feels the void of Ravindra Jadeja in SA test

Former Team India batter Sanjay Manjrekar opened up on Team India missing out on Ravindra Jadeja and shared on how not having affected India's performance in the first test match against South Africa. While speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said:   

"India's batting certainly got affected by Jadeja's absence because his overseas batting in Tests has been sensational. I don't think it will matter much with the ball as things could get interesting if the ball doesn't turn. Then you will need someone who deceives in the air and Ashwin is a better option. But if they want to score some quick runs, then they will not have something that Jadeja provides."

Also Read: Ravi Shastri says India could have won 2 Test series in South Africa if not for THIS player

Why did Ravindra Jadeja miss out on the first test against South Africa?

According to a statement shared by BCCI on Twitter, Jadeja complained of having back spasms in his upper back, which caused him to be put off the team. It meant that India would have to put up Ravichandran Ashwin in action.

Day two of India's first match at SuperSport Park will begin with KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj on strike.