“No Cricketing Logic”: Manjrekar Criticises Agarkar-Led Selectors
The recent selection of India’s Asia Cup T20 squad has sparked controversy, with former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar leading the criticism. The chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has come under fire for selecting Prithvi Shaw’s opening partner, Shubman Gill, in place of Shreyas Iyer. Manjrekar’s frustration stems from the fact that Gill’s selection was based on his impressive Test performances in England, which he believes has no relation to T20 cricket.
The selection of Gill has left many wondering if the selectors have lost sight of the format they are supposed to be selecting for. T20 cricket requires a different set of skills and attributes compared to Test cricket. Manjrekar believes that the selectors have forgotten this fundamental difference and are instead rewarding players for their Test performances, which is “devoid of cricketing logic.”
Gill’s selection is indeed puzzling, considering his limited T20 experience. He has played just 14 T20 matches, with a mediocre strike rate of 117.65. In contrast, Shreyas Iyer has been a consistent performer in T20 cricket, with a strike rate of 128.24 and a respectable average of 29.25. Iyer’s exclusion from the squad has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the selectors’ thought process.
Manjrekar’s criticism is not without merit. The selection of Gill over Iyer is a clear indication that the selectors are prioritizing Test performances over T20 form. This approach is misguided, as T20 cricket requires a different set of skills and attributes compared to Test cricket. A player’s performance in one format does not necessarily translate to another.
The selection of Gill has also raised questions about the role of the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar’s selection committee has been criticized in the past for making questionable decisions, and Gill’s selection is the latest example of this. Manjrekar’s criticism of Agarkar’s selection has sparked a debate about the role of the chief selector and the selection committee’s decision-making process.
The selection of Gill is not the only controversy surrounding the Asia Cup T20 squad. The selection of Washington Sundar, who has not played a T20 match for India in over two years, has also raised eyebrows. Sundar’s selection is a clear indication that the selectors are prioritizing players who have not played T20 cricket recently over those who have been performing consistently in the format.
Manjrekar’s criticism of the selectors is a timely reminder that the selection process in Indian cricket needs to be re-examined. The selectors need to prioritize T20 form and experience over Test performances. The selection of Gill and Sundar is a clear indication that the selectors are not doing this, and it is up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure that the selection process is fair and transparent.
In conclusion, Manjrekar’s criticism of the selectors is well-founded. The selection of Gill and Sundar is a clear indication that the selectors are prioritizing Test performances over T20 form. The selectors need to prioritize T20 experience and form, and the BCCI needs to ensure that the selection process is fair and transparent. The Asia Cup T20 squad selection is a clear example of how the selection process in Indian cricket needs to be re-examined.
