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 in the Test series against South Africa. Many former cricketers and experts have come forward to express their opinions on the team’s performance, and one of them is Sanjay Manjrekar. The former India cricketer has made a shocking claim, 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).
Manjrekar’s statement may seem bizarre at first, but he has explained his point of view in detail. According to him, when a batter performs exceptionally 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 in India, which affects his ability to adapt to the Indian conditions. Manjrekar has cited examples of cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, who have played nine to 12 Tests away from home in the last two years.
This, according to Manjrekar, has left them poorly prepared for Indian conditions. The pitches in India are known to be spin-friendly, and the batters need to have a good understanding of the conditions to perform well. However, with most of the Indian team’s matches being played abroad, the batters are not getting enough opportunities to play in Indian conditions, which is affecting their performance.
Manjrekar’s claim is not entirely baseless, as the Indian team has struggled in Test matches played in India. The team’s batting lineup, which is considered one of the strongest in the world, has failed to deliver in Indian conditions. The lack of preparation and exposure to Indian conditions has been cited as one of the reasons for the team’s poor performance.
The concept of batters becoming like NRIs is an interesting one, and it highlights the challenges faced by the Indian team. With the team playing more matches abroad, the batters are spending more time in foreign conditions, which is affecting their ability to adapt to Indian conditions. This is not just a problem for the Indian team, but also for other teams that play a lot of international cricket.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has a packed schedule, with teams playing a lot of matches throughout the year. This leaves little time for the teams to prepare for specific conditions, and the batters are often expected to adapt quickly to new conditions. The Indian team, in particular, has a busy schedule, with a lot of matches being played abroad.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is another factor that contributes to the problem. The IPL is a lucrative tournament that attracts the best players from around the world, and the Indian players are no exception. The tournament is played in India, but the conditions are often different from those in Test matches. The pitches in the IPL are often flat and batting-friendly, which is different from the spin-friendly pitches in Test matches.
The IPL has been a great platform for Indian players to showcase their talent and learn from the best players in the world. However, it has also been criticized for affecting the Indian team’s performance in Test matches. The tournament is played in the summer, which is the off-season for Test cricket, and the players often take time to adjust to the longer format of the game.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s claim that an Indian batter becomes like an NRI when he scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team is an interesting one. The lack of preparation and exposure to Indian conditions is a problem that affects not just the Indian team, but also other teams that play a lot of international cricket. The ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) need to take steps to address this issue, such as scheduling more Test matches in India and providing the players with more opportunities to prepare for Indian conditions.
The Indian team’s performance in Test matches is a matter of concern, and the team needs to find a way to adapt to Indian conditions. The batters need to spend more time playing in India, and the team needs to have a better understanding of the conditions. The IPL is a great platform for Indian players, but it should not affect the team’s performance in Test matches.
As the Indian team looks to bounce back from their 0-2 defeat in the Test series against South Africa, they need to address the issue of preparation and exposure to Indian conditions. The team has a lot of talented players, but they need to find a way to adapt to the conditions in India. With the right preparation and exposure, the Indian team can become a formidable force in Test cricket, and the batters can perform to their potential in Indian conditions.
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