When batter scores heavily in domestic, he becomes NRI: Manjrekar
The Indian cricket team’s recent 0-2 defeat in the Test series against South Africa has sparked a lot of debate and discussion among cricket experts and fans. One of the main concerns that has been raised is the inability of Indian batters to perform well in home conditions. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has made a thought-provoking statement in this regard, 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 statement may seem surprising at first, but it holds some truth. When a batter performs exceptionally well in domestic cricket, he is often selected for the national team and gets to play a significant number of matches away from home. This can lead to a situation where the batter becomes more comfortable playing in foreign conditions than in Indian 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.
As a result, these batters have had limited opportunities to play in Indian conditions, which can be vastly different from the conditions they encounter abroad. Indian pitches are known for being spin-friendly, and batters need to have a specific set of skills to succeed in these conditions. However, when they are playing more matches abroad, they are not getting enough chances to hone these skills, which can lead to a decline in their performance in home conditions.
Manjrekar’s comment highlights a significant issue that the Indian cricket team is facing. The team’s poor performance in home conditions is a cause for concern, and it is essential to address this issue to ensure that the team performs well in all conditions. The Indian team’s inability to win a Test series at home against a strong team like South Africa is a worrying sign, and it is crucial to identify the reasons behind this poor performance.
One of the main reasons for the Indian team’s struggles in home conditions is the lack of experience of the batters in playing in these conditions. When batters are playing more matches abroad, they are not getting enough opportunities to play in Indian conditions, which can make them rusty and out of touch. This can lead to a situation where the batters are not able to perform well in home conditions, which can have a significant impact on the team’s overall performance.
Another reason for the Indian team’s struggles is the lack of consistency in the team’s selection. The team’s selectors have been experimenting with different combinations, which can lead to a lack of stability and consistency in the team. This can make it challenging for the batters to settle down and perform well, which can have a negative impact on the team’s overall performance.
To address these issues, the Indian cricket team needs to take a few steps. Firstly, the team’s selectors need to ensure that the batters are getting enough opportunities to play in Indian conditions. This can be achieved by organizing more domestic matches and tournaments, which can help the batters to hone their skills and get used to playing in home conditions.
Secondly, the team’s selectors need to be more consistent in their selection. The team needs to have a settled batting line-up, which can provide stability and consistency to the team. This can help the batters to settle down and perform well, which can have a positive impact on the team’s overall performance.
Finally, the Indian cricket team needs to work on its overall strategy and approach. The team needs to have a clear plan and approach, which can help it to perform well in all conditions. This can involve working on the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and identifying areas for improvement.
In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar’s statement highlights a significant issue that the Indian cricket team is facing. The team’s poor performance in home conditions is a cause for concern, and it is essential to address this issue to ensure that the team performs well in all conditions. By providing more opportunities for batters to play in Indian conditions, being more consistent in selection, and working on the team’s overall strategy and approach, the Indian cricket team can overcome its struggles and perform well in home conditions.
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