Sanjay Manjrekar is thought to be probably the most astute analysts of the sport in India as we speak. But not afraid to talk his thoughts, Manjrekar has usually landed himself in hassle and acquired trolled on social media with some sensational observations, insights and remarks. He was at it once more when he claimed that R Ashwin just isn’t an all-time nice whereas additionally giving his causes for his huge assertion.
We look again at 5 such ‘expert comments’ by Manjrekar which have put the highlight on the previous Test specialist and created a stir on social media.
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1. Ashwin Not An All-Time Great
“When people start talking about Ashwin as being one of the all-time greats of the game then I have a few problems. One basic problem I have with Ashwin is that when you look at SENA countries, Ashwin doesn’t have a single five-wicket haul there.”
Manjrekar made this sensational claim as India gets ready to face New Zealand in the final of the WTC in Southampton from the 18th of June and reports suggest that both Ashwin and Jadeja will make it to the XI.
While Ashwin did not have a great start in SENA, his numbers have completely transformed since South Africa, 2018 – he has bagged 39 wickets in 11 Tests (20 innings) at an average of 29.97 and strike rate of 71.7 during this period in SENA. That is a stunning transformation from the average of 56.58 and strike rate of 104.2 in the period before.
Twitter went viral with the best reply coming from Abhishek – an Ashwin fan.
“High time we stop judging our greats based on what they do in SENA nations. 80% of the legends from SENA nations have been total shi# in subcontinent. Mr. Manjrekar has issues with our players for a long time.”
Ian Chappell disagreed with Manjrekar and cited the example of Joel Garner stating that the legendary pacer did not bag a number of five-wicket hauls as he was part of the West Indies quartet and thus the wickets were shared. He said India boasted of Jadeja who also takes a bunch of the wickets.
Ashwin himself saw the funny side of things and replied to Manjrekar stating, “Apdi Solladha Da Chaari, Manasellam Valikirdhu.” When translated to English, it means: “Don’t say things like that, it hurts.”
2. Jadeja Is A Bits and Pieces Cricketer
“I am not a big fan of bits and pieces players which Jadeja is at this point of his career in 50-over cricket. In Test matches, he is a pure bowler. But in 50-over cricket, I would rather have a batsman and a spinner.”
During the 2019 World Cup, Manjrekar described Jadeja as a ‘bit and pieces player’. However, Jadeja had the last laugh when he produced a sensational 77 off 59 deliveries in the semi-final against New Zealand almost taking India to victory single-handedly.
Manjrekar had to eat his words and stated, “By bits ‘n’ pieces of sheer brilliance, he’s ripped me apart on all fronts.”
Also, responding to a fan on Twitter who labelled Manjrekar as a ‘bits and pieces commentator”, he replied, “No sir, I am a pure commentator. Bits and pieces are those who do a little bit of this and little bit of that. So if you don’t like me, say bad commentator, not bits and pieces.”
3. Pollard Does Not Have Brains
Kieron Pollard is one of the best finishers for Mumbai Indians who bats in the lower-order but the West Indies’ T20 captain had promoted himself up the order in one of the games for the franchise.
This prompted Manjrekar and he said, ” “Pollard doesn’t have brains” to bat up the order. Pollard was fuming however the matter was resolved when Manjrekar corrected himself and stated that Mumbai Indians had made the correct resolution sending Pollard up the order.
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4. Virat Kohli Does Not belong To Test Cricket
Virat Kohli was struggling on India’s tour to Australia in 2011-12 and there have been calls to go away him out of the facet for the third Test on the W.A.C.A. However, Manjrekar recommended that Kohli ought to play at Perth simply to show “that he didn’t belong”.
“I would still drop VVS & get Rohit in for the next Test.Makes long term sense. give Virat 1 more Test..just to be sure he does not belong here”
Kohli scored 75 at Perth and went on to get 100 within the subsequent Test at Adelaide and has since gone on to cement his place as one of many biggest batsmen of all-time.
5. Hardik Cannot Play As A Specialist Batsman
India was going to play Hardik Pandya as a specialist batsmen within the restricted overs’ sequence in Australia in 2020-21 as he was making a comeback after a lower-back damage and the administration didn’t wish to burden the all-rounder.
Manjrekar said, “My choice and ideas are primarily based on a precept that I’ve realized over time: if in case you have specialists who can walk-in primarily based on one self-discipline, you fill your group with these gamers. Even Hardik Pandya is not going to be in my group. They add illusory worth to the group”
Hardik produced the two best performances of his ODI career scoring 90s in Sydney and Canberra before blasting an undefeated 42 off just 22 deliveries in a T20I match.
Manjrekar had to eat his words and tweeted, “Was skeptical about Hardik the pure batsman in 50 overs cricket. Not anymore.”
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