Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concern over the way domestic players like Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran are being treated by the Australian selectors. Sanjay Manjrekar said Sarfaraz Khan should not have been “dropped” for KL Rahul in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Men in Blue suffered a 1-3 defeat against Australia in the recently concluded five-match Test series. Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran didn't get a chance in Australia. However, the team management played like the youngsters Devdutt PadikkalNitesh Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jureland Harshit Rana.
Not a good way to look at things – Sanjay Manjrekar
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that people have written off Easwaran prematurely based on his performance in a warm-up game, which he felt was an unfair approach. Manjrekar said the selectors should be more patient and careful before making such judgements.
“When we had that discussion before the first Test, I said it shouldn't be such a simple decision that Sarfraz Khan took and KL Rahul took. I think there was a lot of preemption, a lot of people were playing God. with Abhimanyu Easwaran and watching him in a warm-up game and thinking he won't get a run. I think it's not a good way to look at things because cricket throws surprises at you, Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.
Sarfaraz Khan has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket, maintaining an exceptional 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 chose to go with Dhruv Jurel over 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 pointed out that if players like Kohli and Sharma are serious about performing overseas, they should be there.
“Even if Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma get runs on Indian pitches, the Ranji Trophy, England will be a completely different challenge,” Manjrekar said.
“So I want to see them, if they're serious, be there and then the selectors look and see something happen, something's changed and there's a chance we could see a different performance.”
Sarfaraz Khan was rewarded for his outstanding record – Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar expressed his disappointment at the way Sarfaraz Khan was treated despite his impressive domestic record. Manjrekar said it was unfair to drop Sarfaraz even though he might not have been suited to certain pitches.
“Sarfaraz Khan was rewarded for his extraordinary record at first-class level. He got three 50s and 150, but then he was terrible in the next Test. But then he was completely dropped. I don't think it's quite right.” Manjrekar said.
“Even if you feel that Sarfaraz Khan might not succeed on such pitches, what if he had found a way to get runs with third man being his main area to score? 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 they will form at the highest level run.”
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