Sanjay Manjrekar criticizes Gambhir, Rohit for batsman mistreatment

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed concern over how national players like Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran are being treated by the selectors in Australia. Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Sarfaraz Khan should not have been “dropped” for KL Rahul in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Men in Blue suffered a 1-3 defeat against Australia in the recently concluded five-match Test series. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran didn’t get chances in Australia. However, the management of the team played like the youngsters Devdutt PadikkalNitesh Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jureli Harshit Rana.

Not a good way to look at things – Sanjay Manjrekar

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that people were prematurely writing off Easwaran based on his performance in a warm-up game, which he felt was an unfair approach. Manjrekar said selectors should be more patient and observant before making such judgments.

“When we had that talk before the first Test, I said it shouldn’t be such an easy decision that Sarfraz Khan took and KL Rahul put in. I think there was a lot of preemption, a lot of people were playing God. with Abhimanyu Easwaran and watching him in a warm-up game and thinking he’s not going to get a run I think that’s not a good way to look at things because cricket throws surprises at you, Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Sarfaraz Khan has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket, maintaining an outstanding first-class average of around 65. He has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10 in six Tests. However, the Indian team management opted to go with Dhruv Jurel over him in the first Test against Australia in Perth.

England will be a completely different challenge – Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who can perform well on Indian pitches or in the Ranji Trophy, will face a much bigger challenge in England. Manjrekar stressed that if players like Kohli and Sharma are serious about overseas, they should be there.

“Even if Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma get runs on the Indian pitches, Ranji Trophy, England will be a completely different challenge,” Manjrekar said.

“So I want to see them, if they’re serious about it, be out there and then the selectors look and see something happens, something has changed and there’s a chance we’ll see a different performance.”

Sarfaraz Khan was rewarded for his tremendous record – Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar expressed his disappointment at how Sarfaraz Khan was treated despite his impressive domestic record. Manjrekar said it was unfair to rule out Sarfaraz, even though he might not have adjusted to certain pitches.

“Sarfaraz Khan was rewarded for his great knock at first-class level. He got three 50s and 150, but then he went out terribly in the next Test. But then he was completely dropped. I don’t think it’s quite right.” said Manjrekar.

“Even if you think Sarfaraz Khan might not be successful on that kind of pitch, what if he had found a way to get runs, with third man being his main scoring area? I mean, it was a revelation how he played against England. So let’s not play God too much, maybe just watch a little, worry about how they will train at the highest level.”

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