Youth vs. Experience: Manjrekar Questions India's T20 World Cup Squad Selection

India's T20 World Cup Squad: Youth vs. Experience

Former 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.

Tags: #T20WorldCup, #IndiaSquad, #SanjayManjrekar, #YashaswiJaiswal, #RohitSharma