The Coronavirus pandemic has affected many sporting events and tournaments around the world. A lot of cricketing events have either been canceled, postponed or suspended, including the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, which has become the most talked-about thing in the cricket fraternity right now. However, another thing that has become significant talking is the exclusion of Sanjay Manjrekar from the commentary panel.
Well, recently the former Indian cricketer and popular commentator and analysts Sanjay Manjrekar was recently dropped from the commentary panel by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reportedly. Though there’s no clarity over why Manjrekar was dropped from the commentary panel, but as per the reports, the BCCI was not happy with his work.
Well done Mumbai! https://t.co/IpVWhpd3A9
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 7, 2020
While many believe that it was Sanjay Manjrekar supporting the anti-CAA and JNU protests, that has led to his exclusion from the team, here, in this article, we bring you three more possible reasons why Sanjay Manjrekar was excluded from the commentary panel. Have a look:
1. ‘Bits and pieces’ remark for Ravindra Jadeja:
It was during 2019’s World Cup when Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t play the best of his abilities. Sanjay Manjrekar who was in the commentary panel during the mega-event said that he is not a fan of a ‘bits and pieces’ cricketer like Ravindra Jadeja.
Well, the comment didn’t go down well with the fans as well as the all-rounder himself, who took to his Twitter to give a mouth-shutting reply to the commentator. Ravindra Jadeja wrote:
“Still i have played twice the number of matches you have played and i m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved.i have heard enough of your verbal diarrhoea.@sanjaymanjrekar”
Here, check out the Tweet:
Still i have played twice the number of matches you have played and i m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved.i have heard enough of your verbal diarrhoea.@sanjaymanjrekar
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) July 3, 2019
Later, in the next match, Ravindra Jadeja smashed a thrilling fifty and was seen gesturing towards Sanjay Manjrekar in the commentary box as well.
2. Messed up with Harsha Bhogle during live commentary:
Well, Harsha Bhogle became the next victim of Sanjay Manjrekar as both of them were seen in a heated exchange. The incident took place during India’s first-ever pink ball test match in Kolkata. Harsha Bhogle had suggested that it would be a good idea to ask players about their views on the pink ball and what they have to say about the visibility factor. He had said:
“When there is a post-mortem done of this match, the visibility of the ball will be one of the things to look at”
However, Sanjay Manjrekar, who has played only 37 Tests and 74 One-Day Internationals for India, disagreed with Bhogle’s statement and came up with a rude reply. He said:
“Don’t think so. Because when you see the slip catchers, the way they have taken catches, I don’t think visibility is an issue at all. The texture of the ball is the issue.”
Further, as the conversation went on, Sanjay Manjrekar who was still not done with the conversation, sarcastically said that the lower-order batsman saw the ball well enough there and said:
“You need to ask, Harsha. For us, who have played the game, we get a fair idea of what’s happening out there. Have been watching two-and-a-half days, three days of cricket, I don’t think visibility is an issue. We’ve seen some terrific catches taken in the slips, on the boundary as well.”
To which Harsha said: “Having played cricket should never be a limitation or a ceiling to learning.”
3. Being biased for Mumbai:
Well, Sanjay Manjrekar’s biased commentary has always made him stand at the receiving end of trolling and criticism. During one of CSK vs MI match, the third umpire was taking a long time to give his verdict for MS Dhoni, which was out. Sanjay Manjrekar was heard saying:
“I was hoping all the time during the review that Dhoni should be out,”
So, his biased commentary could also be the reason behind his exclusion from the team.
