When batter scores heavily in domestic, he becomes NRI: Manjrekar
The Indian cricket team has been facing a lot of challenges in recent times, and one of the major concerns is the performance of their batters in Test cricket. The team’s recent 0-2 defeat in the Test series against South Africa has raised several questions about the batting line-up, and former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has come up with a unique explanation for the struggles of Indian batters.
According to Manjrekar, an Indian batter becomes like a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) when he scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team. This statement may seem confusing at first, but Manjrekar’s point is that these batters become so accustomed to playing outside India that they struggle to adapt to the conditions back home.
Manjrekar 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, which has left them poorly prepared for Indian conditions. This is a valid point, as the pitches and conditions in India are vastly different from those in other parts of the world.
In India, the pitches are generally flat and dry, with a lot of turn and bounce for spinners. In contrast, the pitches in countries like South Africa, Australia, and England are faster and bouncier, with more seam movement. This means that batters who have spent a lot of time playing outside India may struggle to adjust to the slower and more turning pitches back home.
Manjrekar’s comment about Indian batters becoming like NRIs is an interesting one, as it highlights the challenges of playing cricket in different conditions. When a batter scores heavily in domestic cricket, he is often selected for the national team and starts playing more international cricket. This can lead to a situation where he spends more time playing outside India than in his home country.
As a result, these batters may become less familiar with the conditions in India, which can make it difficult for them to perform well in home Tests. This is exactly what seems to have happened with the Indian team in their recent series against South Africa. Despite having a strong batting line-up on paper, the team struggled to score runs on the flat pitches in India.
The problem is not just limited to the batters, as the Indian team’s overall approach to Test cricket has been questioned in recent times. The team’s reliance on spinners to take wickets on home pitches has been criticized, and there have been calls for a more balanced approach that includes a mix of fast bowlers and spinners.
However, Manjrekar’s comment about Indian batters becoming like NRIs is a reminder that the problem is more complex than just the team’s approach to Test cricket. The fact that Indian batters are spending more time playing outside India than in their home country is a significant factor in their struggles, and it is something that the team management and selectors need to address.
One possible solution is to ensure that Indian batters play more domestic cricket in India, so that they can get used to the conditions and develop their skills in a more familiar environment. This could involve scheduling more domestic matches in India, or encouraging Indian batters to play in domestic leagues like the Ranji Trophy.
Another solution is to have a more balanced team selection policy, where batters are selected based on their performance in Indian conditions, rather than just their overall record. This could involve selecting batters who have a good record in domestic cricket in India, even if they have not performed as well in international cricket.
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. It highlights the challenges of playing cricket in different conditions and the need for Indian batters to develop their skills in a more familiar environment.
The Indian team’s struggles in Test cricket are a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted solution. While there are no easy answers, it is clear that the team needs to find a way to balance the experience of playing outside India with the need to develop skills in Indian conditions.
As the Indian team looks to bounce back from their recent series defeat, they would do well to take Manjrekar’s comments on board and think about how they can develop a more balanced approach to Test cricket. With a bit of luck and some smart planning, the team can overcome their struggles and become a dominant force in Test cricket once again.
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