When batter scores heavily in domestic, he becomes NRI: Manjrekar
The Indian cricket team has been facing a tough time in the ongoing Test series against South Africa, having suffered a 0-2 defeat in the first two matches. The team’s batting performance has been a major concern, with many of the top-order batsmen struggling to score runs on the challenging South African pitches. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has come up with a unique explanation for the struggles of Indian batters, saying that when a batter scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team, he becomes like a Non-Resident Indian (NRI).
According to Manjrekar, the excessive focus on domestic cricket and the subsequent selection to the national team can make a batter lose touch with the conditions in India. He stated that cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant have played nine to 12 Tests away from home in the last two years, leaving them poorly prepared for Indian conditions. This, Manjrekar believes, is one of the primary reasons for the struggles of Indian batters in the ongoing Test series.
Manjrekar’s comments have sparked a debate in the cricketing community, with many experts and fans weighing in on the issue. While some have agreed with Manjrekar’s assessment, others have dismissed it as an oversimplification of the problem. However, it is difficult to deny the fact that Indian batters have struggled to adapt to foreign conditions, and the team’s poor performance in the ongoing series is a testament to this.
One of the main reasons for the struggles of Indian batters is the lack of experience in playing on foreign pitches. The Indian domestic circuit is dominated by spin-friendly pitches, which can make it difficult for batsmen to adjust to the faster and bouncier pitches found in countries like South Africa and Australia. Additionally, the Indian team’s scheduling has been such that they have played a majority of their Tests away from home in the last two years, which has limited their exposure to Indian conditions.
Manjrekar’s comment about Indian batters becoming like NRIs is also reflective of the changing nature of international cricket. With the increasing amount of cricket being played around the world, it is becoming more common for players to spend more time away from home than in their own country. This can make it difficult for players to maintain a connection with their domestic conditions and can lead to a sense of disconnection from their roots.
The Indian team’s struggles in the ongoing series have also raised questions about the team’s preparation and strategy. The team’s coaching staff, led by head coach Rahul Dravid, has been criticized for not being able to prepare the team adequately for the challenges of playing in South Africa. The team’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has also faced criticism for not being able to help the batsmen overcome their struggles.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s comment about Indian batters becoming like NRIs when they score heavily in domestic cricket and get selected for the national team is a thought-provoking one. While it may not be the only reason for the struggles of Indian batters, it is certainly a factor that needs to be considered. The Indian team’s coaching staff and selectors need to take a closer look at the team’s preparation and strategy to ensure that the players are better equipped to handle the challenges of playing in different conditions.
As the Indian team looks to bounce back from their 0-2 defeat, they will need to regroup and reassess their strategy. The team’s batters will need to find a way to overcome their struggles and adapt to the conditions in South Africa. The team’s coaching staff will also need to take a closer look at the team’s preparation and make any necessary changes to ensure that the team is better equipped to handle the challenges of playing in different conditions.
The ongoing Test series has been a tough one for the Indian team, but it has also provided them with an opportunity to learn and grow. The team’s struggles have highlighted the need for better preparation and strategy, and it is up to the team’s coaching staff and selectors to make the necessary changes to ensure that the team is better equipped to handle the challenges of playing in different conditions.
As the debate surrounding Sanjay Manjrekar’s comment continues, one thing is certain – the Indian team’s struggles in the ongoing series are a wake-up call for the team’s coaching staff and selectors. The team needs to take a closer look at their preparation and strategy to ensure that they are better equipped to handle the challenges of playing in different conditions. Only time will tell if the team is able to bounce back from their 0-2 defeat and make a strong comeback in the remaining matches of the series.
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