Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised questions about the mental fortitude of openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal after they failed to convert strong starts into big scores during the Manchester Test against England.
A Promising Start, Then Stumbles
India’s innings began brightly after being sent in to bat by England captain Ben Stokes. Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal dominated the morning session, patiently building a solid foundation of 78 runs without loss in 26 overs.
However, the post-lunch session saw a swift change in momentum. KL Rahul, batting confidently on 46, was the first to depart, falling to Chris Woakes almost immediately after the break.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had battled well to reach a half-century, was the next casualty. He was lured into a risky shot by left-arm spinner Liam Dawson and caught by Harry Brook at first slip, ending his resilient 151-ball vigil on 61.
India finished the day at 264 for four, a mixed result that also saw Rishabh Pant suffer an injury and Sai Sudharsan get out after scoring 66.
Manjrekar Questions Mental Stamina
Reflecting on the dismissals, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disappointment that the set batters couldn’t carry on. He pondered if mental fatigue played a role, especially given the length of the series.
“These are guys who’ve got runs,” Manjrekar stated on JioHotstar. “These aren’t batters who will get a 50 and let the advantage go. They didn’t quite dig in and get a big 100.”
He further questioned whether the players possessed the “mental stamina” and “reserves” required to maintain their commitment and grind for longer durations, especially after such good starts.
Contrasting Views: Praise for the Openers
Nasser Hussain on KL Rahul
Despite Manjrekar’s concerns, KL Rahul received significant praise from former England captain Nasser Hussain. Hussain lauded Rahul’s technique, describing it as akin to an “English opening batter,” and highlighted his value to the Indian side.
Rahul’s performance in the series has been notable. He joined an elite club of Indian batters, including Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, by completing 1000 Test runs in England. This series also marked his first career series with over 400 runs.
Ravi Shastri on Yashasvi Jaiswal
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also commended Yashasvi Jaiswal for his disciplined innings. Shastri noted that this tour of England would significantly develop Jaiswal as a player.
He particularly praised Jaiswal for curbing his natural aggressive instincts in the early part of his innings. “He was prepared to guts it out this morning… he gave respect to the conditions and the new ball,” Shastri observed, pointing out Jaiswal’s growth in adapting to challenging conditions.
- KL Rahul (46) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (61) provided a strong opening partnership before getting out.
- Sanjay Manjrekar questioned their “mental stamina” for not converting good starts into big hundreds.
- Nasser Hussain praised KL Rahul’s technique and milestone achievement in England.
- Ravi Shastri applauded Yashasvi Jaiswal for adapting his natural aggression to the conditions.
The debate highlights the fine margins in Test cricket, where converting starts can significantly impact the game’s outcome.
