Sanjay Manjrekar slams Team India's selection decisions in the 1st ODI

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised Team India’s selection decision for the ongoing first ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Indian team-management was compelled to pick Ravindra Jadeja after the BCCI suspended all-rounder Hardik Pandya along with KL Rahul for their controversial comments on a popular talk show Koffee with Karan.

Both Pandya and Rahul have returned home and are now awaiting the final verdict for their misconduct. They’ve been suspended for the ongoing Australia tour as well as the following New Zealand series. Their actions, meanwhile, have also cost the team as Virat Kohli pointed out that the absence of the two players upset the balance of the side.

“We are always looking to improve as a side. We need to strike when the big games arrive. When two quality players (Hardik and Rahul) are not featuring, it upsets the balance of the side. Jadeja is back in the ODI side, let’s see what he’s got to offer,” Kohli said at the toss.

With no other pace-bowling all-rounder in the side, India had to pick three specialist pacers and drop Yuzvendra Chahal to include spin-bowling all-rounder Jadeja in the side. However, Manjrekar is not impressed with the decision at all. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes including an allrounder in the playing eleven is not mandatory. He also pointed out that Chahal’s exclusion disturbs India’s bowling line-up which has been one of the biggest reasons behind the team’s recent success.

“In cricket, it’s not compulsory to play an all rounder. Chahal out for Jadeja dilutes India’s bowling which has been the main reason for its recent dominance in 50 overs cricket,” Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.

In cricket, it’s not compulsory to play an all rounder. Chahal out for Jadeja dilutes India’s bowling which has been the main reason for its recent dominance in 50 overs cricket.#sonyliv#AusvIndia

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 12, 2019

2018 a memorable year for Chahal

Chahal will definitely feel hard done by after being excluded from the playing eleven for the first ODI of the year following an impressive display in 2018. Chahal finished last year as India’s top wicket-taker. In 17 games, he picked up 29 wickets while conceding less than 5 runs per over.

He formed a formidable partnership with Kuldeep Yadav as the duo helped India win a series in South Africa, bag the Asia Cup before beating Windies at home.

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