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 experts and former cricketers have been analyzing the team’s performance, trying to identify the reasons behind their struggles. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has made a thought-provoking comment, stating that an Indian batter becomes an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) when he scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for the national team.
According to Manjrekar, when a player performs exceptionally well in domestic cricket, he gets picked for the national team and starts playing more international matches than domestic ones. As a result, he spends more time playing abroad, away from Indian conditions, and becomes less accustomed to the unique challenges of playing in India. This, Manjrekar believes, can lead to a decline in the player’s performance in home conditions.
Manjrekar cited the 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. He argued that this extensive experience of playing abroad has left them poorly prepared for the conditions they face in India. “When you play so much cricket abroad, you become like an NRI,” Manjrekar said. “You are not used to the conditions in India, and that can affect your performance.”
This comment from Manjrekar has sparked a debate about the Indian team’s selection process and the balance between domestic and international cricket. While it is true that playing international cricket is the ultimate goal for any cricketer, it is also important to remember that domestic cricket is the foundation of a player’s development. The more a player plays in domestic conditions, the more he becomes accustomed to the unique challenges of playing in India.
The Indian cricket team’s struggles in the recent Test series against South Africa are a case in point. Despite having a talented squad, the team struggled to adapt to the conditions in South Africa, losing the series 0-2. The batsmen, in particular, found it difficult to cope with the pace and bounce of the South African pitches, leading to a string of low scores.
Manjrekar’s comment highlights the need for the Indian team to strike a balance between domestic and international cricket. While it is important to give players experience of playing abroad, it is equally important to ensure that they do not lose touch with the conditions in India. This can be achieved by ensuring that players participate in domestic cricket regularly, even if it means missing out on a few international matches.
The Indian cricket board and the team management need to take a closer look at the selection process and ensure that players are not over-exposed to international cricket at the expense of domestic cricket. This will not only help players to develop their skills in Indian conditions but also ensure that they are better prepared to face the challenges of playing abroad.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s comment about Indian batters becoming NRIs when they score heavily in domestic cricket and get selected for the national team is a thought-provoking one. It highlights the need for the Indian team to strike a balance between domestic and international cricket, ensuring that players do not lose touch with the conditions in India. By giving players regular experience of playing in domestic conditions, the Indian team can develop a stronger, more well-rounded squad that is capable of performing consistently in all conditions.
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