Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over the way Australian selectors are treating domestic players such as Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran. Sanjay Manjrekar has stated that Sarfaraz Khan should not have been “dropped” for KL Rahul in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Men in Blue suffered a 1-3 loss to Australia in the recently concluded five-match Test series. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran did not get chances in Australia. However, the leadership of the team played youngsters like Devdutt Padikkal, Nitesh Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel and Harshit Rana.
That is not a good way of looking at things – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that people are prematurely writing off Easwaran based on his performance in the warm-up match, which he felt was an unfair approach. Manjrekar said that the selectors should be more patient and careful before making such judgments.
“When we spoke before the first Test, I said it shouldn’t be such an easy decision Sarfraz Khan took and KL Rahul brought in. I think there was a lot of premeditation, a lot of people were playing God with Abhimanyu Easwaran and watching him play warm-up and thinking he’s not going to get a run, I don’t think that’s a good way to look at things because cricket comes with surprises, Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.
Sarfaraz Khan has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket, maintaining an outstanding first-class average of around 65. He has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10 in six Tests. However, the Indian team management decided to go with Dhruv Jurel instead of him in the first Test against Australia in Perth.
England will be a completely different challenge – Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who might perform well on Indian pitches or in the Ranji Trophy, will face a much bigger challenge in England. Manjrekar emphasized that players like Kohli and Sharma serious about performing abroad should be there.
“Even if Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma get runs on Indian grounds, the Ranji Trophy, England will be a completely different challenge,” Manjrekar said.
“So I want to see them, if they’re serious about it, be out there and then the selectors look and see that something’s happening, something’s changed and there’s a possibility we’re going to see a different performance.”
Sarfaraz Khan was awarded for his great record – Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar expressed disappointment at the way Sarfaraz Khan was treated despite his impressive domestic record. Manjrekar said it was unfair to drop Sarfaraz, even if he might not have been suited to certain pitches.
“Sarfaraz Khan was rewarded for his incredible record at first-class level. He got three 50s and a 150, but then he did terribly in the next Test. But then he was dropped completely. I don’t think that’s quite right,” Manjrekar said.
“Even if you think Sarfaraz Khan might not succeed on these kind of pitches, what if he had found a way to get runs, with the third man being his main field for scoring? I mean, it was a revelation how he played against England.. So, let’s not try to play God too much, maybe just watch a little bit, be worried about how he will shape up at the highest level, but you have to reward people who have that run.”
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