NEW DELHI: One of the main problems with Indian cricket, according to former player Sanjay Manjrekar, is that every effort is made to get the best players back into form. He criticized captain Rohit Sharma‘s choice to open after subpar performances in the middle order.
KL Rahul, the series’ top opener, dropped to number three as Rohit returned to his typical opening position following dismal performances in the series at number six, where he only managed 19 runs in three innings. Rohit’s time at the crease was brief, though, as he fell to Cummins.
Speaking during the commentary as quoted by Wisden, Manjrekar said, “An issue which is deeply connected with the Indian cricket culture Mark, is that….all those iconic players in India, struggling for runs, and then we go out of the way to make sure that he comes back into form.”
“We make all kinds of adjustments to give the best kind of platform or opportunity for the iconic players. A situation where KL Rahul has been the best opener for both sides, the most consistent batter for India – he is being displaced from his position, batting at No.3, so that Rohit Sharma is given an opportunity to get into form.”
Manjrekar stated that it was not the best course of action for the squad when taking into account cricketing logic and what is beneficial for the team.
“KL Rahul has been so good at that position. It’s not easy opening in Australia. Jaiswal and KL Rahul had a record partnership for India in Australia, but India quite happy to break that partnership to allow a big-name player to succeed,”: he added.
While Jaiswal and Rohit have had excellent combinations at the top, Manjrekar noted that they came on Indian pitches.
“In Australia when you have found an opener who has looked the part, pushing him down to number 3 to get a woefully out of form big-name player to open I thought was just a poor call,” he added.
Co-commentator Mark Nicholas concurred that there are certain drawbacks to the Indian tradition of praising individual stars above the game.
“When they are (captains) out of form, it is what creates a problem and other players end up as the sacrificial lambs for it. It is a pity. In terms of India and celebrities, no doubt, it’s amazing how the game is celebrated in India. But in many ways, it is celebrated because of its players more than because of the art of the game. The players become as big as Bollywood stars.. it is a wonderful place to be if you love cricket. To be in a country that loves cricket as much as India does is a privilege, but it is not always leading to the right decision-making,” he added.
