'Frustrates me' - Sanjay Manjrekar questions Rajasthan Royals' tactics and selection choices

Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his views on how Rajasthan Royals have performed during the second leg of the Indian Premier League 2021 in the UAE. The former Mumbai batter expressed his disappointment with some of the selection calls that the Royals have made in the 2021 season. 

During a recent interaction, Manjrekar was speaking about the middle-order of Rajasthan Royals, which hasn’t really performed well. He also said that he likes Mahipal Lomror. The former cricketer noted that Lomror is a player who commands a place in this side considering that he has got some runs. He also explained that he can bowl two or three overs of left-arm spin, which is handy.

Manjrekar didn’t comment on Riyan Parag but expressed that Rahul Tewatia has been slightly off-color. However, he said that Tewatia’s leg-spin option makes Rajasthan stick with him because they are not playing either of Shreyas Gopal and Tabraiz Shamsi. Rajasthan has not had players stepping up with most of their batters failing to score a substantial number of runs.

Sangakkara is there, I am surprised that they have not reacted to the performances: Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar then went on to question the selection calls made by Rajasthan team management. “When you look at people like Shivam Dube sitting on the bench, it’s just a team that frustrates me with the tactics and selections. And, what can you do? I think they can have Tabraiz Shamsi, just like an X-factor or throw in Gopal just for a change,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo. 

The cricket pundit further raised a question on Kumar Sangakkara, who is the director of cricket for Rajasthan Royals. “Chris Morris has been disappointing which has hurt Rajasthan’s strange selection. Considering Kumar Sangakkara is there, I am surprised that they have not reacted to the performances on the field. There are few players who are carrying on playing, but not performing,” Manjrekar said. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals went through another disappointing performance against RCB. They were going strong after 11 overs, with a score of 101 for 1 against Bangalore in Dubai, but slipped to 127 for 6. They eventually ended on 149 for 9. Royals have already lost two games in the UAE leg and only narrowly won one game against Punjab.