'Can he continue with his performances against quality pace?' - Sanjay Manjrekar still not convinced with Ravindra Jadeja's batting

Former India cricketer has time and again come under the scanner for his comments on Ravindra Jadeja. He had called him ‘bits and pieces’ player during the 2019 World Cup and a huge controversy followed that with the cricketer also responding. Manjrekar has once again opened up on the same player stating that he is still not convinced with Jadeja’s batting.

Manjrekar’s comments come only a few days after Jadeja’s match-winning blitzkrieg against KKR. The left-hander smashed 22 runs off just nine balls, with 20 of them (2 fours and as many sixes) coming in Prasidh Krishna’s 19th over which turned the game on its head.

But Sanjay Manjrekar still has doubts if Ravindra Jadeja will be able to dominate the same way against real fast bowlers. “I am still not convinced about Jadeja’s batting, especially the role CSK has given him. If he gets the same role in every match, will he be able to continue with his performances against the quality pace bowlers or not?

“Because so far, he has pounced on bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Harshal Patel. It remains to be seen whether he will be as attacking as well against the quick pacers who try to attack him,” Manjrekar said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo. Jadeja has been in great form with the bat in IPL 2021 scoring 179 runs in eight innings with a strike-rate close to 150.

Jadeja is an asset when he bowls four overs, says Manjrekar

Having said that, Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged the fact Ravindra Jadeja certainly becomes an asset for his team when he bowls his four overs in T20 cricket. The left-arm spinner has bowled well in this IPL season with seven wickets to his name in 33 overs. His economy of 6.8 is also brilliant.

“The crucial thing Jadeja has done in his last two matches is he’s completed his full quota of overs. CSK skipper MS Dhoni breathes a sigh of relief when Jadeja bowls his four overs in the match. If Jadeja continues to bowl his full quota of overs, he becomes a valuable asset for his side,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.