Sanjay Manjrekar Critiques Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Absence from Duleep Trophy Matches After Poor Test Performance
Mumbai, 26th September 2024: Former Indian cricket team player Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should have participated in the initial round of Duleep Trophy matches. After both batters struggled in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, with Rohit scoring a total of 11 runs and Kohli managing 23, Manjrekar suggested that competing in the domestic tournament could have benefitted them. He also alluded to the idea of “special treatment” for these star players, noting that this has been a longstanding issue in Indian cricket.
“I’m not concerned, but their absence from red-ball cricket may not have been ideal. There was an opportunity to include them in the Duleep Trophy. It’s crucial to avoid treating certain players differently and to prioritize what’s best for both Indian cricket and the players themselves,” Manjrekar remarked.
Despite this, he acknowledged that both Rohit and Virat are exceptional cricketers capable of making a strong comeback in the second Test in Kanpur, which starts on Friday.
“Not playing in the Duleep Trophy was detrimental for Indian cricket and for the players. If they had participated and gained some experience in red-ball cricket, the situation might have been different. However, their class and experience give me confidence that they can rebound later in the series, and I don’t believe their current form will be a lasting issue,” he added.
Manjrekar concluded by emphasizing that it’s important to recognize the ongoing problem in Indian cricket regarding the preferential treatment of certain players due to their status, which can ultimately be more harmful to the players than beneficial.
