When batter scores heavily in domestic, he becomes NRI: Manjrekar
The Indian cricket team has been facing a lot of criticism lately, especially after their 0-2 defeat against South Africa in the recently concluded Test series. Many former cricketers and experts have been weighing in on the team’s performance, and one of the most interesting comments came from former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. According to Manjrekar, an Indian batter becomes an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) when he scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team.
Manjrekar’s statement may seem confusing at first, but he explained that when a batter performs well in domestic cricket, he gets selected for the Indian team and starts playing more international matches. As a result, he spends more time playing abroad and less time playing in Indian conditions. This, according to Manjrekar, makes him less familiar with the conditions in India, which can affect his performance in home matches.
Manjrekar cited the example of several Indian batters, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, who have played a significant number of Test matches away from home in the last two years. He stated that these players have played between nine to 12 Tests away from home, which has left them poorly prepared for Indian conditions.
“When you play so much cricket abroad, you become like an NRI,” Manjrekar said. “You are not used to playing in Indian conditions, and that can affect your performance. These players have been playing more abroad than in India, and that’s why they are struggling to adapt to the conditions here.”
Manjrekar’s comments are not entirely unfounded. The Indian team has indeed struggled in home matches, and the batters have been finding it difficult to score runs on Indian pitches. The team’s performance in the recent Test series against South Africa was a prime example of this, where the batters struggled to cope with the pace and bounce of the South African pitches.
However, it’s not just the batters who are to blame. The Indian team’s schedule has been quite hectic in the last two years, with a lot of matches being played abroad. This has left the players with little time to adapt to the conditions in India, and it’s affecting their performance.
Manjrekar also pointed out that the Indian team’s domestic structure is not helping the cause. He stated that the domestic tournaments in India are not of the same standard as international cricket, and that’s why players are finding it difficult to adapt to the higher level.
“The standard of domestic cricket in India is not good enough,” Manjrekar said. “The pitches, the balls, the umpires – everything is different from international cricket. When you play domestic cricket, you are not prepared for the higher level, and that’s why our players are struggling.”
Manjrekar’s comments have sparked a debate in the cricketing world, with many experts weighing in on the issue. While some agree with Manjrekar’s assessment, others feel that he is being too harsh on the Indian batters.
However, one thing is certain – the Indian team needs to find a way to prepare their players better for home matches. The team’s schedule needs to be managed more effectively, and the domestic structure needs to be improved. Only then can the Indian team hope to perform consistently well in home matches.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s comments on Indian batters becoming NRIs when they score heavily in domestic cricket and get selected for the national team are thought-provoking. While they may not be entirely accurate, they do highlight the challenges faced by Indian players when they transition from domestic to international cricket. The Indian team needs to take a hard look at their domestic structure and schedule to ensure that their players are better prepared for home matches.
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