Cricket

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has strongly advocated for the inclusion of left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in India's playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Despite Kuldeep's impressive performance in the recent home series against England, where he claimed 19 wickets in four matches, he was surprisingly omitted from the team in the first Test in Chennai.Manjrekar believes that Kuldeep's exclusion was a mistake, arguing that his unique bowling style would have been beneficial even on a pitch that was not expected to favor spinners. "I feel Kuldeep Yadav should not be dropped so easily," Manjrekar said on the ESPNcricinfo YouTube channel. "I believe that even if it was not a turner, India would have benefited from playing Kuldeep Yadav in Chennai because the seamers will get help for just one or one-and-a-half days on an Indian pitch."Manjrekar suggested that Kuldeep could replace Jasprit Bumrah in the team if the pace spearhead is rested. "If Bumrah wants a rest, give him. Try and get Kuldeep Yadav back," Manjrekar said. He further emphasized the importance of playing all three spinners, including Kuldeep, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Axar Patel, even on a green top. "Even if it's a green top and the sun is out, they should keep in mind that the green top will be just for the first few hours, and Siraj and Bumrah are enough for that. When you have three proven spinners, you should play all of them," Manjrekar said.With India securing a comprehensive 280-run victory in the first Test, where Bumrah played a crucial role with five wickets, the team management may consider resting him to manage his workload. This would provide an ideal opportunity for Kuldeep to make his way back into the side. Another pacer, Yash Dayal, could also be in contention for his debut if Bumrah is rested.

Despite India's resounding victory in the first Test against Bangladesh, concerns have been raised over the underwhelming performances of skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli. While the team secured a 280-run triumph, the two senior players failed to make a significant impact.Former India opener Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned whether Rohit and Kohli are receiving preferential treatment based on their reputation. He believes that their absence from the Duleep Trophy, a domestic first-class tournament, has hindered their preparation for the Test series."There was the option of picking them in the Duleep Trophy. So one has to be careful about treating certain players differently and do what's best for Indian cricket and for the player," Manjrekar said. "Virat and Rohit not playing (Duleep Trophy) was not good for Indian cricket, nor was it good for the two players."Manjrekar expressed confidence in Kohli and Rohit's abilities to regain their form, but he emphasized the need to address the issue of preferential treatment within the Indian cricket team."But they have the class and experience to make a comeback later in the series, and I don't see them, for that reason, not being in form," he said. "But something that one must make a quiet note of, and that has been a problem with Indian cricket for a long time now, is that certain players get picked out for special treatment because of their status, which eventually hurts that player more than anyone else."The Indian team's success in the first Test was largely due to the standout performances of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, the struggles of Rohit and Kohli have raised questions about the team's batting depth and the need for a more consistent performance from its senior players.

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has drawn an intriguing parallel between batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Manjrekar observed that Kohli, like Tendulkar, appears to perform better away from home.Kohli's recent return to Test cricket against Bangladesh was underwhelming, with scores of 6 and 17. Manjrekar attributed this to Kohli's discomfort batting in India. "He's not enjoying batting in India as much. Like (Sachin) Tendulkar, I think he feels more at home away from home," Manjrekar said on the ESPNCricinfo YouTube channel.Manjrekar pointed to Kohli's impressive performance in South Africa, where he was India's standout batter. "We saw in South Africa how well he played. He was by far India's best batter," Manjrekar added.In the second innings of the Bangladesh Test, Kohli was controversially given out LBW despite replays showing the ball had hit his bat. However, Kohli declined to review the decision, a move that Manjrekar found puzzling. "Felt bad for Virat today. He obviously didn't think he had hit it. Just wanted to know from Gill if the ball was hitting stumps. Despite Gill encouraging him to go for the review anyway, he walked away dejected wanting to keep the 3 reviews for his team," Manjrekar tweeted.Kohli's absence from Test cricket since January 2024 may have contributed to his struggles. He missed the home series against England due to the birth of his second child. Despite his low scores, Kohli reached a significant milestone, becoming the second Indian to score 12,000 runs on home soil, behind only Tendulkar.Manjrekar's comparison between Kohli and Tendulkar highlights the unique challenges faced by elite batters. While Tendulkar was known for his exceptional performances overseas, Kohli has also shown a remarkable ability to adapt to different conditions. However, Manjrekar's observation that Kohli may be more comfortable batting away from home raises questions about his mindset and the pressure he faces when playing in India.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has praised wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for his century in the first Test against Bangladesh, highlighting his defensive technique that resembles that of legendary former skipper MS Dhoni.Pant's century, along with Shubman Gill's, helped India set a massive 515-run target for Bangladesh. Manjrekar noted that Pant's innings showcased his willingness to play defensively, a trait often overlooked due to his aggressive batting style."It is a misleading package we see with Rishabh Pant," Manjrekar said. "Underneath that, you will see as many dot balls in his innings as Shubman Gill's, so he is willing to also play the defensive game that we have seen many times in the past."Manjrekar compared Pant's defensive technique to Dhoni's, who was known for his solid defense despite his reputation as a big-hitter. "He has got a pretty good defensive technique, bit like Dhoni, whose defensive technique was quite good," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar also noted Pant's ability to adapt his batting to the situation, similar to former opener Virender Sehwag. "He is that kind of player who has his own way of getting runs and has his own agenda - a bit like Virender Sehwag," Manjrekar said.In the match, India posted a total of 515 runs, with Ashwin and Jadeja contributing significant innings. Bangladesh was bowled out for 149 in their first innings, trailing by 227 runs. In their second innings, India declared at 287/4, setting Bangladesh a target of 515.At the end of day three, Bangladesh was 158/4, with Najmul Hossain Shanto leading the resistance.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his opinion that star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah should have been included in the first round of the Duleep Trophy. The tournament, which marks the beginning of India's domestic season, will commence on September 5 in Bengaluru and Anantapur.Manjrekar's suggestion stems from the fact that these players have had ample rest in recent times. He pointed out that Rohit Sharma has played only 59% of India's 249 international matches in the last five years, while Virat Kohli has played 61% and Jasprit Bumrah has played only 34%."I see them as well-rested India players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy," Manjrekar said on 'X'.The BCCI has announced that Ravindra Jadeja has been released from participation in the Duleep Trophy without providing a reason. Additionally, Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik will not feature as they are recovering from recent illness. Navdeep Saini and Gaurav Yadav have been named as replacements.The Duleep Trophy is crucial in identifying key players for India's packed Test calendar and their readiness for the World Test Championship final. India's home season will commence with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai, followed by a second game in Kanpur beginning on September 27. Following this series, India will play three Test matches against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Subsequently, the team will travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.

The appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the Indian cricket team coach has sparked anticipation and debate within the cricketing fraternity. Gambhir, known for his aggressive leadership and tactical acumen, has a proven track record of success as a mentor. Under his guidance, Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL 2023 title, and Lucknow Super Giants reached two consecutive IPL playoffs.As the Indian team enters a crucial phase, with senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja retiring from T20Is, Gambhir's role becomes even more significant. However, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has downplayed the importance of the coach's role, stating that it is ultimately the players who determine the team's success.Manjrekar's comments, though intended as a general observation, have been interpreted by some as a veiled attack on Gambhir. This has led to a heated debate on social media, with fans and experts weighing in on the matter.Despite Manjrekar's skepticism, Gambhir's appointment has been met with optimism by many. His ability to inspire and motivate players, coupled with his tactical nous, is seen as a valuable asset for the Indian team.India's recent history in ICC tournaments has been a mixed bag. They won the ODI World Cup in 1983 without a designated head coach. In 2007 and 2011, MS Dhoni led the team to World Cup victories under different coaches. Under Ravi Shastri's mentorship, India came close to winning the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final in 2023.Rahul Dravid's tenure as coach culminated in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, ending their 11-year-long ICC title drought.As Gambhir takes charge of the Indian team, he will be tasked with building a cohesive unit capable of challenging for major trophies. His experience and leadership qualities will be crucial in guiding the team through this transition period.

Sanjay Manjrekar's recent comments on the role of coaches in the Indian cricket team's success have sparked a heated debate on social media. Manjrekar, a former India cricketer, suggested that there is no direct correlation between the presence of a coach and the team's ability to win World Cups.Manjrekar's remarks came just as Gautam Gambhir, another former India cricketer, prepares to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's national team. Manjrekar argued that India's success in cricket is more dependent on the overall functioning of the system rather than the individual coach.He pointed out that India won its first ODI World Cup in 1983 without a designated head coach. The team also enjoyed successful stints under MS Dhoni in 2007 and 2011, despite having different coaches on both occasions.Under Rahul Dravid's mentorship, India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados, ending their 11-year-long ICC title drought. India also came close to winning the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final against Australia last year.Manjrekar believes that the focus should be on the players and the system, rather than the coach. He emphasized that India's success in cricket is a result of the collective efforts of the players, the support staff, and the overall cricketing ecosystem."No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten & Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 & 2023. It's really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation," Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.Many fans took to social media to criticize Manjrekar's comments, especially considering the timing. Gambhir's first coaching assignment will begin in Sri Lanka later in the day as Suryakumar Yadav-led India will take on the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series in Pallekele.

In the high-stakes T20 World Cup final in Barbados, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a competitive total of 176 for 7. Despite losing three wickets early in the powerplay, Kohli stood firm, anchoring India's innings with a solid 76 off 59 deliveries.Kohli's innings was characterized by his ability to stabilize the Indian batting order and build partnerships. He forged a crucial 72-run stand with Axar Patel, followed by valuable contributions alongside Shivam Dube and others. However, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the pace of Kohli's knock, suggesting that it could have hindered India's chances of posting a more formidable total.Manjrekar argues that Kohli's conservative approach limited the opportunities for explosive batters like Hardik Pandya, who faced only two deliveries. He believes that Kohli's strike rate of 128 during the first half of his innings potentially put India in a tight corner.However, India's bowlers came to the rescue, orchestrating a remarkable turnaround in the chase. With 30 runs required off 30 balls and six wickets in hand, South Africa's batters faltered under pressure. Manjrekar credits the bowlers for saving Kohli's innings from scrutiny, as India ultimately secured a thrilling 7-run victory.This triumph marks India's second T20 World Cup title, ending an over-a-decade-long ICC title drought. The victory also serves as a testament to Kohli's resilience and his ability to perform under immense pressure.

The T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa witnessed a thrilling climax, with India emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs. However, the Player of the Match award, which went to Virat Kohli, has sparked a debate among cricket experts.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his surprise at Kohli receiving the award, arguing that his knock of 76 runs off 59 balls had put India in a precarious position. Manjrekar believes that the Indian bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, deserved the recognition for their exceptional death bowling that rescued India from the brink of defeat."By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India's batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would've put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys' bowlers came in the end," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar emphasized that India were in a losing position, with South Africa having a 90% chance of victory. He believes that the bowlers' remarkable turnaround saved Kohli's innings, which had a strike rate of 128 for nearly half of the innings."My Player of the Match would've been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India," Manjrekar added.However, former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower had a different perspective. He believes that India's batting performance was sufficient, with a total of 176 runs on the board. Flower acknowledged that if India had lost the match, Kohli would have faced significant criticism."If India had been pipped there, there would've been a lot of criticism going Virat Kohli's way, I'd reckon. At the halfway mark, I thought India had enough, and that it was going to be a very difficult chase for South Africa," Flower said.The debate over the Player of the Match award highlights the crucial role played by both the batters and bowlers in India's victory. While Kohli's innings provided a solid foundation, the bowlers' exceptional performance in the final overs ultimately secured the win.