Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar isn’t winning many fans these days. While many cricket fans are upset about Manjrekar’s “overly critical” commentary, now a member of the Indian cricket team has blasted him off over the commentator’s recent remark.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is a part of the Indian squad in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in England but hasn’t so far had an opportunity to play in the tournament. After India lost to England, India's batting coach Sanjay Bangar had hinted at Jadeja’s possible inclusion in the playing eleven against Bangladesh, to which Manjrekar had said he was not a fan of “bits and pieces” player.
"I am not a big fan of bits and pieces players which Jadeja is at this point of his career in 50-over cricket. In Test matches, he is a pure bowler. But in 50-over cricket, I would rather have a batsman and a spinner," news agency IANS quoted Manjrekar saying.
The feisty Indian all-rounder didn't take Manjrekar's remark lying down.
“Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I’m still playing. Learn to respect people who have achieved. I have heard enough of your verbal diarrhoea,” Jadeja wrote.
This isn’t the first time the former India batsman has ruffled feathers of members of the Indian cricket team. In 2012, he had criticised Yuvraj Singh’s fitness level after he was included in the team for ICC World T20 tournament. He said it was an “emotional decision” to include the southpaw just months after finishing his cancer treatment.
Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer soon after the 2011 Cricket World Cup in which he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament for playing a major role in India’s victory.
When Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement last month and Manjrekar acknowledged him an “all time great one day batsman”, Yuvraj responded with a rather cryptic Tweet.
“I’m sure some time critics get the best out of you,” Yuvraj tweeted.
With the Twitter duel between Jadeja and Manjrekar, not many fans are siding with the former cricketer.
Many cricket fans are now calling for dropping Manjrekar from the panel of official commentators at the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. An online petition calling for his removal has fathered over 13,000 signatures.
