Cricket

Virat Kohli, India's batting mainstay, has endured a disappointing start to the T20 World Cup 2024, failing to deliver in both matches. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has urged Kohli to revert to his previous batting style, arguing that it would be more effective on the current pitches.Manjrekar believes that Kohli's attempt to increase his strike rate during the IPL 2024 has backfired in the T20 World Cup. "He probably must have come to the T20 World Cup with that same mindset, but given the pitches, the old Virat Kohli would have been much better," Manjrekar said.Kohli's strike rate has been a subject of debate in recent years, with some critics arguing that he needs to be more aggressive. However, Manjrekar believes that Kohli's strength lies in his ability to anchor the innings and play calculated shots."The problem with Virat Kohli is that there has been a lot of talk about his strike rate over the last two years, and he completely changed that during this IPL season," Manjrekar said. "But that is a different topic. He probably must have come to the T20 World Cup with that same mindset, but given the pitches, the old Virat Kohli would have been much better."Manjrekar's advice echoes the sentiments of many fans and experts who believe that Kohli's best batting comes when he is playing within himself and not trying to force the issue. Kohli has been known for his ability to rotate the strike, find gaps, and build partnerships.If Kohli can rediscover his old form, it would be a major boost for India's chances in the T20 World Cup. The team is heavily reliant on Kohli's experience and leadership, and his return to form would provide a much-needed spark to the batting lineup.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advised Virat Kohli to adopt a more conservative approach on hard wickets in New York ahead of India's ICC T20 World Cup match against the USA.Kohli, the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer, has had a slow start to the competition, scoring just one and four runs against Ireland and Pakistan, respectively. Both times, he was dismissed while playing aggressively.Manjrekar believes that Kohli's aggressive approach, which has been effective on flat pitches, may not be suitable for the hard wickets in New York, where it has been difficult to score runs."The problem with Virat Kohli is that there has been a lot of talk about his strike rate over the last two years, and he completely changed that during this IPL season," Manjrekar said. "His strike rate had reached 150, although others had almost 200, but that is a different topic. He probably must have come to the T20 World Cup with that same mindset, but given the pitches, the old Virat Kohli would have been much better."Manjrekar added that Kohli should consider reverting to his previous style of play, which was more cautious and focused on building an innings."So, I feel someone should tell him to bring back that earlier version of himself and then change again when the pitches become flat," he said.Kohli's struggles have been a concern for India, who are looking to win their first T20 World Cup title since 2007. The team will need Kohli to find his form if they are to have a successful tournament.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has outlined his ideal bowling combination for India for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Manjrekar believes that the team should select their bowlers based on the opposition and the size of the ground.Manjrekar said that leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may struggle to make the playing XI if the grounds are on the smaller side. He explained that Chahal thrives on bigger grounds, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav can be more effective on smaller grounds.Despite Chahal's impressive performance in IPL 2024, where he picked up 18 wickets, Manjrekar emphasized that he would prefer to see all three frontline pacers in the side. He gave the edge to Arshdeep Singh over Mohammed Siraj, if only one can play alongside Jasprit Bumrah."Arshdeep offers you more variety; a left-arm seamer, who has a great range as a bowler," Manjrekar said.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan agreed with Manjrekar's assessment, pointing out that Arshdeep has the most T20I wickets in the last year among Indians."Don't underestimate the power of a left-arm fast-bowler," Pathan joked.Arshdeep Singh scalped 19 wickets in IPL 2024, but had an expensive economy rate over 10. However, Manjrekar believes that his variety and range make him a valuable asset to the team.

As the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup kicks off in the USA, Indian cricket fans are eagerly anticipating whether Team India can finally end their long-standing ICC trophy drought. The team has commenced their preparations with an emphatic victory over Bangladesh in their sole warm-up match in New York.Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu have emphasized the importance of backing experienced players to triumph in the tournament's crucial matches. Manjrekar expressed confidence that the time is ripe for Team India to break their ICC trophy drought, highlighting Virat Kohli's exceptional record in the tournament. However, he lamented the lack of a trophy to show for it."The expectations have shifted from merely playing well to winning pivotal matches," Manjrekar remarked. "It's time for India to back experience and win the big matches."Sidhu echoed Manjrekar's sentiments, stating that the ending of the story is most important. "You don't read a book to reach the middle," he said. "It's the ending that matters. We need to finish strong."As the tournament unfolds, Indian fans hope their team will not only make it to the semi-finals but also clinch the trophy, ending a dry spell that has lasted since their 2013 Champions Trophy win. The focus is clear: it's time for India to win the big matches and bring home the coveted ICC trophy.

Despite Hardik Pandya's underwhelming performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have defended his selection for the T20 World Cup 2024.Manjrekar highlighted Pandya's exceptional record in World Cups, particularly his performances in the 2019 World Cup. He emphasized Pandya's all-round contributions, including his match-winning knock in the India-Pakistan clash and his crucial innings in the semi-final against New Zealand."Hardik Pandya has consistently performed well in World Cups," Manjrekar said. "He has the ability to rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage."Bangar echoed Manjrekar's sentiments, stating that Pandya's IPL performances should not overshadow his contributions to the Indian team. He pointed out Pandya's impressive record in all three formats of the game, including Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is."Pandya's record in World Cup cricket is exceptional," Bangar said. "He has given fantastic performances whenever he has played for India."Bangar acknowledged that Pandya had faced some challenges due to injuries, but he expressed confidence that the all-rounder would regain his form and contribute significantly to the Indian team's success in the T20 World Cup."Pandya's presence improves the balance of the Indian team," Bangar said. "He is a valuable asset, and I am confident that he will deliver for India in the upcoming World Cup."

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded Rishabh Pant for his exceptional performance in challenging conditions during India's T20 World Cup warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a rapid 53 off 32 balls, helping India set a competitive target of 183. India subsequently restricted Bangladesh to 122/9, securing a comprehensive 60-run victory in New York.Manjrekar praised Pant for his ability to quickly assess the conditions and adapt his game accordingly. "The pitch was slightly difficult when he came to bat. We saw Sanju Samson getting out after scoring only one run off six balls. After that, he (Pant) came and his specialty is that he is extremely street-smart and assesses very quickly what needs to be done," Manjrekar said on Star Sports.Pant's explosive innings included four fours and four sixes. Manjrekar highlighted Pant's impressive strike rate of nearly 200 on a difficult pitch, which underscored his ability to perform under pressure. "He is a batter who scored runs at a strike rate of almost 200 on a difficult pitch. This is Rishabh Pant's specialty. His record in T20Is is very ordinary, an average close to 20 and a strike rate of 120 or lower, but we saw today what this guy can do," Manjrekar added.Former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar also commended Pant for his approach, noting his initial caution before launching into big shots. "Everyone will talk about the four fours and four sixes he hit, but he scored only one run off his first six or seven deliveries. So the best thing was that he gave himself time, especially against the spinners. We have the notion that he plays a lot of shots against spinners," Bangar said.Bangar further observed Pant's comfort against both pace and spin. "Actually, his best shots are against the pacers and he gets out many times against spinners. Today he batted well against both pacers and spinners. So I feel a stability has come into his mind considering the way he batted," Bangar noted.Pant's performance against Bangladesh demonstrated his potential to be a game-changer. Despite his modest T20I record, his ability to adapt to challenging conditions and perform under pressure makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, experts and former cricketers have been speculating about the Indian team's strongest XI. Sanjay Manjrekar, a renowned cricket analyst, recently shared his thoughts on the matter, expressing his belief that Yashasvi Jaiswal would not make the cut if both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are available.Manjrekar explained that the batting order would likely feature Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the opening pair, followed by Suryakumar Yadav at number three. He then opted for Rishabh Pant at number four, ahead of Sanju Samson, despite Samson's recent impressive form."I want Pant to get into those India colors very early in the tournament because he is a big-match player," Manjrekar said. "India's problem in ICC events has been winning the semis or finals, and they need their big-match players to be feeling good."Manjrekar's decision to exclude Jaiswal from his XI stems from the presence of Kohli and Sharma. "When you look at the batting order, you can see how it pans out. Opening pair: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli. Unfortunately, there's no place for Yashasvi Jaiswal because Virat will not bat at number three; that's a reality we have embraced," he said.With only one spot available for either Jaiswal or Shivam Dube, Manjrekar believes Dube is more likely to get the nod. This decision highlights the intense competition within the Indian team, with several talented players vying for a place in the starting lineup.

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Youth vs. ExperienceFormer Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a debate over the selection of India's T20 World Cup squad, suggesting that a younger team might have been more advantageous. Manjrekar advocates for injecting youthful talent like Yashaswi Jaiswal into the mix, rather than solely relying on experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.Despite the absence of Sharma and Kohli from many T20 matches last year, selectors have chosen to reinstate them, presumably banking on their experience. Manjrekar notes that the default opening pair now appears to be Sharma and Kohli, whereas he would have preferred exploring alternatives, such as incorporating the promising Jaiswal."Ideally, I would not have gone that way; I would have stuck with a slightly more younger kind of, core set of players but the selectors have committed themselves to the icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar doubts that Jaiswal would secure a spot in the Indian XI, expressing disappointment that the selectors have opted for a more conservative approach. He believes that a younger team would have brought more flair and unpredictability to the tournament."Unfortunately, Jaiswal will have to sit out. I would have gone completely with a new lot (and) then he would have had a lot more flair and it would be something different," he said.Manjrekar also rejected the idea that Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi would present a significant threat to the Indian batters in the upcoming clash between the two arch-rivals on June 9th. He believes that Amir has not played at the international level for too long and that Afridi is not the same bowler he was two years ago."Mohammed Amir played his last international T20 seven years back. We have no idea what his form is like today. Shaheen Afridi is not the same bowler that he was two years ago.""India have handled him really well, if you remember the Asia Cup, even in the 50-overs World Cup we had a one-sided match. I do not see Pakistan as a major threat to India, plus the names (of) Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi. I do not think this is a problem for India," he added.Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan labeled left-arm spinner Imad Wasim as a potential threat. He believes that Wasim's ability to bowl stumps to stumps with the new ball could pose a challenge to the Indian batters.Manjrekar expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya's ability to excel as a finisher, citing his performance in the last T20 World Cup. He believes that Pandya's ability to score quickly and under pressure makes him a valuable asset to the team."My vote will always go to Hardik Pandya. I know he had a pretty quiet IPL, but go back to the last T20 World Cup that India played, the last match, semis against England at Adelaide.""Hardik Pandya got 60 off 30 balls at a strike rate of 190 after India had got 62 in their first 10 overs."Pathan mentioned that both Pandya and Shivam Dube would fulfill distinct roles in the competition. He believes that Pandya will have a set role to finish the game, while Dube will play as a floater and provide support against the spinners.Manjrekar highlighted India's cautious approach in the first round of the tournament, drawing parallels to their early exit in the 2007 50-overs World Cup in the Caribbean. He believes that India will feel the pressure of the first round and that their performance in the knockout stages will be crucial."India will feel the pressure of the first round because (in) 2007 (in) the West Indies, funny things (had) happened. I see India up and running very quickly. (But) I'm just going to watch this Indian team in the matches that matter - semis and the finals," he said."For India, World Cups are not anymore about getting into the final round. It's about what you do in the final rounds," he added.Manjrekar also asserted that Kohli tends to face extra pressure in knockout games because of his stature, a situation not mirrored by Sharma. He believes that Kohli feels obliged to bat longer and take more responsibility, which can sometimes affect his performance."Virat does take it upon himself. You see that happening in all the big games to bat a little longer, perhaps feels obliged because of the kind of stature that he has in Indian cricket to bat longer rather than just come and bat freely," he said."But Rohit Sharma will do that, no matter his stature. We saw that in the ODI World Cup. But I'm worried about Virat really when it comes to semis and the finals," he added.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have learned from their mistakes in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal against England and will not repeat them in the upcoming edition of the tournament.In his column for Hindustan Times, Manjrekar pointed out that India's slow batting in the top order, particularly by Kohli and Sharma, contributed to their defeat in the semifinal. However, he believes that both players have evolved as T20 batters since then and will be more aggressive in the 2024 World Cup."In the last T20 World Cup two years ago, in the semis against England in Adelaide, India batted first and got only 168 runs in 20 overs, and a shocking 62 in the first 10. The bulk of deliveries in this crucial period were faced by the seniors, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," Manjrekar wrote."Rohit got 27 off 28 balls at a strike rate of 96, while Virat secured 50 off 40 balls at a strike rate of 125, eventually getting out in the 18th over. India had lost the tournament right there."Manjrekar praised Hardik Pandya for his aggressive batting in that match, but noted that England chased down the target with ease. He believes that Kohli and Sharma will not make the same mistake of batting too slowly in the upcoming World Cup."Having said this, we can be sure of one thing. Rohit and Virat will not commit the same mistakes made in that semis," Manjrekar wrote. "It's worth acknowledging that Virat is not the same T20 player he was two years ago. He must know deep down, surely, that the 'outside noise' has actually made him a better T20 batter today than he was two years ago."Manjrekar also expressed hope that Kohli will not be preoccupied with batting longer rather than batting quicker in the knockout stages of the World Cup."For Indian cricket's sake, let's hope this preoccupation is buried deep," he concluded.