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 Sanjay Manjrekar. The former India cricketer made a bold statement, saying 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 comment may seem confusing at first, but he explained that when a batter performs well in domestic cricket, he gets selected for the national 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 poorly prepared for the unique conditions found in India. The former cricketer cited the examples of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, who have played nine to 12 Tests away from home in the last two years.
Manjrekar’s comment highlights a significant issue with the Indian cricket team’s scheduling and preparation. With the team playing so many international matches, the players have limited opportunities to play in domestic cricket and get accustomed to the Indian conditions. This can be a major disadvantage, especially when the team is playing at home. The Indian conditions, with their spinning tracks and hot weather, can be challenging for any team, and it’s essential for the home team to be well-prepared to take advantage of these conditions.
The Indian team’s recent performance in the Test series against South Africa is a perfect example of this. Despite being one of the strongest teams in the world, India struggled to cope with the South African bowling attack and ended up losing the series 0-2. The team’s batsmen, in particular, found it difficult to score runs, and this was largely due to their lack of preparation for the Indian conditions.
Manjrekar’s comment also raises questions about the Indian cricket team’s selection process. When a batter performs well in domestic cricket, he is often selected for the national team without being given enough opportunities to play in Indian conditions. This can be a recipe for disaster, as the batter may struggle to adapt to the international level and the unique conditions found in India.
To address this issue, the Indian cricket board needs to rethink its scheduling and selection process. The team needs to play more domestic matches, and the players need to be given more opportunities to play in Indian conditions. This will help the team to be better prepared for international matches, especially when they are playing at home.
In addition to this, the Indian cricket board needs to invest more in domestic cricket. The board needs to provide better infrastructure, coaching, and facilities to the domestic players, which will help them to develop their skills and prepare for international cricket. The board also needs to encourage the domestic players to play more matches in Indian conditions, which will help them to get accustomed to the unique conditions found in India.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s comment highlights a significant issue with the Indian cricket team’s preparation and scheduling. When a batter scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team, he often becomes like an NRI, poorly prepared for the Indian conditions. To address this issue, the Indian cricket board needs to rethink its scheduling and selection process, invest more in domestic cricket, and provide better opportunities for the domestic players to play in Indian conditions.
The Indian cricket team has a lot of talent and potential, but it needs to be nurtured and developed properly. With the right preparation and scheduling, the team can become one of the strongest teams in the world, capable of winning matches in any conditions. However, if the team continues to neglect domestic cricket and the unique conditions found in India, it will struggle to achieve success, especially when playing at home.
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