Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar picked his playing XI and left out Ravindra Jadeja before the first ODI. Sanjay Manjrekar had previously called Ravindra Jadeja a “bits-and-pieces” cricketer too and this is going on for quite a long time. Manjrekar put forward that the management should use him as a substitute fielder if needed. The comment had not gone down well with the Indian allrounder, who took to Twitter to express his displeasure.
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Sanjay Manjrekar On Why He Don’t Prefer Players Like Ravindra Jadeja In White Ball Cricket
Now, more than one year after the incident, Manjrekar was yet again questioned about Jadeja and his removal from BCCI’s panel of commentators. The former Indian batsman talked about his selection thought process and explained that he does not have a problem with Jadeja. But he maintained that he does not prefer “his kind of cricketers in white-ball cricket.”
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“Not many people know that I have been removed earlier as well. It was something I tweeted. It’s not easy, of course, but in many, I have become thick-skinned about such things,” Manjrekar told The Hindu.
“My selection and thoughts are based on a principle that I have learned over the years: if you have specialists who can walk-in based on one discipline, you fill your team with those players. I do not have a problem with Jadeja; I have a problem with his kind of cricketers in white-ball cricket,” Manjrekar said.
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Ravindra Jadeja had an economical spell conceding 60 runs of 10 overs, better economy than any other Indian bowlers and he also scored 24 of 11 balls giving some hope in India’s hefty chase against Australia in the second ODI.
“Even Hardik Pandya will not be in my team. They add illusory value to the team. Of course, I have always rated Jadeja highly in the Test format,” the 50 year old Pundit further added.
Currently, Sanjay Manjrekar is a part of the commentary panel in place for the ongoing series between India and Australia.
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