Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his strong disagreement with the Indian team management’s recent selection decisions, particularly concerning the batting order, despite their crucial victory over England.
Manjrekar Disagrees with “Chop and Change”
Even after India’s comeback win at Edgbaston, which leveled the Test series against England 1-1, Sanjay Manjrekar isn’t fully on board with the team’s approach. He highlighted concerns about the frequent changes made by the current management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Manjrekar observed that this team isn’t afraid to “chop and change” depending on the “vibe,” a strategy he finds questionable. While wins can often mask such decisions, he believes some recent choices were not optimal.
The No. 3 Spot: Nair vs. Sudharsan
A major point of contention for Manjrekar is the handling of the crucial number three batting position. In the latest Test, Karun Nair was moved up to No. 3, replacing Sai Sudharsan.
Nair, who had returned to the Test side after eight years, has struggled, posting scores of 0, 20, 31, and 26 in his four innings across two Tests. Manjrekar explicitly stated, “Karun Nair is not a number-three player in my book.”
On the other hand, young Sai Sudharsan was dropped after just one Test, where he scored a duck and then 30 runs. Manjrekar feels Sudharsan deserved more opportunities, especially as a young talent being eyed for the future. He advocated for Sudharsan’s inclusion at number three, emphasizing it’s unfair to drop him after a single match.
Shubman Gill’s Batting Brilliance
Despite the selection debates, India’s recent batting performances have been strong, largely thanks to captain Shubman Gill. Manjrekar acknowledged that Gill’s incredible form has been pivotal in India’s victories.
Gill has been in sensational touch, smashing three centuries in four innings. He recorded a remarkable 147 in his first innings as captain and then made history by scoring 269 and 161 in the same Test match.
Manjrekar pointed out that Gill’s massive scores have single-handedly resolved many batting concerns. He speculated that if Gill had scored less, securing those wins would have been far more challenging for India.
A Word of Caution for India
While India’s batting statistics have been impressive – no team has scored more runs in the first two Tests of a series – Manjrekar urged caution. He advised India to remain “pragmatic and realistic” about their overall strength.
He stressed the importance of ensuring batting stability moving forward. This is especially critical given the possibility of a changed England bowling attack, which could bring more “sharpness and potency” to the opposition.
- Sanjay Manjrekar criticizes India’s “chop and change” selection policy despite recent wins.
- He believes Karun Nair is not suited for the No. 3 spot and advocates for Sai Sudharsan.
- Shubman Gill’s phenomenal batting, including multiple centuries, has been crucial to India’s success.
- Manjrekar warns India against complacency, highlighting the need for continued batting strength.
As the series heads to Lord’s for the third Test, the team’s selection choices and batting strategy will undoubtedly remain a key talking point for fans and experts alike.
