Sanjay Manjrekar receives backlash on Twitter after his 'don’t pay much attention to North Indian players' statement on air

Former cricketer and famous commentator Sanjay Manjrekar recently made controversial remarks during the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The incident, which occurred during India's match against New Zealand on October 4 in Dubai, has reignited debates about regional bias in Indian cricket and the influence of the so-called "Mumbai lobby."

During the second innings of India's opening game, as the camera was panned towards the coaching staff, Manjrekar identified head coach Amol Muzumdar and assistant coach Aavishkar Salvi, both from Mumbai.

“Amol Muzumdar looks in happy spirits, and this is good so the team can see the coach and react [positively]. To his left is Aavishkar Salvi, his assistant coach," he said.

However, when his co-commentator mentioned fielding coach Munish Bali, a former Punjab player, Manjrekar's response sparked widespread criticism.

"And to his right, Munish Bali, former Punjab player and now the team’s fielding coach." To this, Manjrekar replied, “Sorry, I didn’t recognize him. I don’t pay much attention to North [Indian] players."

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The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with fans calling for Manjrekar's removal from the commentary panel. Many viewed his comments as proof of a longstanding bias towards cricketers from Mumbai.

This controversy has sparked discussions about the existence and influence of the "Mumbai lobby" in Indian cricket, particularly regarding national team selections. Recently Manjrekar had praised Rohit Sharma's captaincy during India's Test series win over Bangladesh which also was compared to his inclination towards Mumbai players.

Critics felt that such comments from influential figures in cricket commentary sustain regional divides and diminish the spirit of national unity in sports. Supporters of Manjrekar, however, believe that his words were misconstrued and blown out of proportion.

Here are some reactions -