Sanjay Manjrekar

‘The problem with Virat Kohli is…’: How Sanjay Manjrekar wants star India batter to play in T20 World Cup | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar advised Virat Kohli to play a in slightly conservative approach on hard wickets in New York ahead of India’s ICC T20 World Cup match against the USA.At the Nassau County International Stadium on Wednesday, the third Group A match of the T20 World Cup between India and the USA will take place. India had won a low-scoring thriller over Pakistan by six runs in their previous encounter.T20 WORLD CUP: SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLEThe United States of America defeated Pakistan in the Super Over. With four points from two wins in two games, India lead the group. With the identical win-loss record, the USA is in second position, though their net run rate is inferior.With scores of just one and four runs against Ireland and Pakistan, Virat – the greatest run scorer in the history of the competition – hasn’t had the finest start to the competition. He was dismissed both times while playing aggressively.Virat enters the competition following an incredible Indian Premier League (2024) season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he amassed 741 runs at 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69 in 15 innings, including five hundreds and a century. Virat had the best strike rate of his IPL career and was quite effective against spinners, using a more aggressive strategy against them.Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar stated that although Virat has adjusted his style in response to criticism regarding his supposedly low strikeout rate, the “old Virat” would have performed better on New York’s hard pitches, where it has been difficult to score runs and batters have played cautiously.“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. 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,” said Manjrekar.“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 added. (With ANI inputs)

T20 World Cup 2024: Hope having both Rohit and Virat works out well for India, says Sanjay Manjrekar

Danijones7 months ago04 mins

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar thinks he would have chosen a much younger Indian group for the T20 World Cup, since overloading the team with seniors hasn’t worked in the past. Manjrekar stated that India currently has no choice but to combine Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the opening spot, despite his preference for the youthful and promising Yashaswi Jaiswal. Rohit and Kohli did not play many T20 matches for India last year, but they returned as selectors trusted the experienced players. “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 on Star Sports’ Press Room World Cup edition on Friday. “Now that they are in the squad, it’s impossible to have Virat Kohli batting at No. 3 because then you don’t get the full rally of Virat. Rohit Sharma has to open, so now, India in a way have forced themselves to have only one kind of combination — two right-handers,” he said. T20 WORLD CUP 2024: FULL COVERAGE Manjrekar does not think Jaiswal would find a place in the Indian XI. “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. “(But) India have trusted the seniors a move that hasn’t worked over the years let’s hope it works this time,” Manjrekar added. The former India batsman also addressed concerns that Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi would pose a threat to the Indian hitters in the two arch-rivals’ showdown on June 9. “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. Published By: Saurabh Kumar Published On: May 31, 2024

‘Selectors have trusted Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli but…’: Sanjay Manjrekar says he ‘would not have gone that way’ this time | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago08 mins

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar suggests that opting for a younger Indian squad for the T20 World Cup might have been more advantageous, considering the previous lack of success with senior players.He advocates for injecting youthful talent like Yashaswi Jaiswal into the mix, rather than solely relying on experienced players.Despite the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat 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 Rohit 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 on Star Sports’ Press Room World Cup edition on Friday.“Now that they are in the squad, it’s impossible to have Virat Kohli batting at No. 3 because then you don’t get the full rally of Virat. Rohit Sharma has to open, so now, India in a way have forced themselves to have only one kind of combination – two right-handers,” he said.Manjrekar doubts that Yashaswi Jaiswal would secure a spot in the Indian XI.“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.“(But) India have trusted the seniors a move that hasn’t worked over the years let’s hope it works this time,” Manjrekar added.The former Indian batter 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.“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.“As a left-arm spinner with the new ball, he is not bad. He is a smart, bowls stumps to stumps and if the ball grips then he could be a threat,” he said.Manjrekar expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya‘s ability to excel as a finisher.“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.“When it comes to T20 World Cup – marquee events – back those guys who actually excel on the big stage and for me it will always be Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant ahead of people like Shivam Dubey, until we see him on the big stage,” he said.Pathan mentioned that both Pandya and Dube would fulfill distinct roles in the competition.“Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play different roles. Hardik will have a set role to finish the game and Shivam will play as a floater, as a reinforcer against the spinners,” he said.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.“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 Rohit.“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.(With PTI inputs)