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 recent Test series. Many experts and former cricketers have been analyzing the team’s performance, trying to identify the reasons behind their poor show. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has come up with a unique observation, stating that when an Indian batter scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team, he becomes like a Non-Resident Indian (NRI).
According to Manjrekar, cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant have played a significant number of Tests away from home in the last two years, which has left them poorly prepared for Indian conditions. “When a batter scores heavily in domestic cricket, he becomes like an NRI,” Manjrekar said in a recent interview. “He is not used to playing in Indian conditions, and when he comes back to play in India, he struggles to adapt.”
Manjrekar’s statement may seem surprising at first, but it does have some merit. The Indian domestic cricket structure is quite different from the international scene, and players who excel in domestic cricket may not always be able to replicate their performance at the international level. The pitches, the opposition, and the pressure of playing for the country are all factors that can affect a player’s performance.
In the case of the Indian team, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that many of their top players have been playing a lot of cricket away from home. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been touring extensively, playing in various formats of the game, and have had limited opportunities to play in Indian conditions. This can make it difficult for them to adjust to the unique conditions of Indian pitches, which can be quite challenging for batsmen.
Manjrekar’s comment also highlights the issue of player preparation and selection. The Indian team’s selection process has been under scrutiny, with many questioning the criteria used to select players for the national team. While domestic performance is an important factor, it is not the only consideration. Players need to be able to adapt to different conditions, and the selectors need to ensure that they are picking players who can perform well in all types of conditions.
The recent Test series against South Africa is a case in point. The Indian team struggled to cope with the pace and bounce of the South African pitches, and their batsmen found it difficult to score runs. The team’s top order, which includes players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, failed to fire, and the middle order was not able to capitalize on the starts they got. The team’s poor performance was a reflection of their lack of preparation and adaptability, and it highlighted the need for the selectors to re-think their strategy.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s comment about Indian batters becoming like NRIs when they score heavily in domestic cricket is a thought-provoking one. While it may not be entirely accurate, it does highlight the challenges that Indian players face when they transition from domestic to international cricket. The Indian team’s poor performance in the recent Test series against South Africa is a wake-up call, and the selectors and coaches need to take a hard look at their preparation and selection strategies to ensure that the team is better equipped to handle the challenges of international cricket.
The Indian cricket team has a lot of talent and potential, but they need to be able to adapt to different conditions and situations. The selectors need to ensure that they are picking players who can perform well in all types of conditions, and the coaches need to work on the players’ techniques and strategies to help them succeed at the international level. Only then can the Indian team hope to achieve consistent success and become a dominant force in world cricket.
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