Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has once again triggered a debate on social media after he took a dig at India’s Test vice–captain Ajinkya Rahane.
On day 5 of the ongoing Test match, Ajinkya Rahane walked-in to bat after Shubman Gill’s dismissal, however, he failed to make full use of the opportunity as he was dismissed by a stunning delivery from James Anderson.
Resuming the day at 39/1 from overnight, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara added 19 runs on the scoreboard before Pujara fell for a Leach’s trap. Following Pujara’s dismissal, James Anderson was introduced into the attack on day 5 last among all the other front line bowlers. However, James took only 2 balls to strike and put team India in some deep trouble.
Anderson only took 3 balls to dismiss Rahane as he bowled an amazing reverse-swing delivery that moved both in the air and off the pitch. Rahane, while trying to defend on the front foot, was trapped and the ball thudded into the stumps, ending his knock on a duck. The dismissal took place only two deliveries after he dismissed Shubman Gill with a similar reverse-swinging delivery.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar took to his social media and posted a hard-hitting tweet about India’s vice-captain. In his tweet, Manjrekar wrote that his issue is with ‘Rahane, the batsman’, who after scoring 100 in Melbourne wasn’t able to score a big number. He claimed that class players carry their form after scoring a century. Manjrekar wrote:
“My issue with Rahane the captain is Rahane the batsman. After that 100 in Melbourne his scores are – 27*, 22, 4, 37, 24, 1 & 0. After a 100, class players carry their form & carry the burden of players out of form. #INDvENG“
Here, check out the tweet:
My issue with Rahane the captain is Rahane the batsman.
After that 100 in Melbourne his scores are – 27*, 22, 4, 37, 24, 1 & 0. After a 100, class players carry their form & carry the burden of players out of form. #INDvENG— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 9, 2021
The tweet soon went viral and was flooded with mixed reactions from the fans to it. Manjrekar’s tweet started a debate on social media, while there were many who came out in support of Rahane, on the other hand, many agreed with the thoughts of Manjrekar.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
My issue with you is your agenda against Rahane…The guy just won you a Test Match overseas 3 matches ago…Virat Kohli after his last 100 (against Bangladesh at home)…2, 19, 3, 14, 74, 4, 11… #INDvsENG
— Raunak Beria (@rkberia) February 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/Chaosinkalyug/status/1359008864826347520?s=20
He definitely isn’t a class. Had it been any other country, he wouldn’t have got to play 70 odd Tests with such continuous inconsistency.This is precisely the reason he isn’t a force to replace Kohli as the captain in red ball cricket. #INDvsENG
— Saumen Ghosh (@shomu_73) February 9, 2021
Jinx has never been a good test batsman for 4 years now. Anything else being spoken about him is just noise. He gets excellent protection from team management and from media experts. If we lose today Rohit, VK all will be questioned but not Jinx.
@CrickeyRicky
@gurkiratsgill— Krishnan (@krakinkrish) February 9, 2021
Shreyas Iyer, Rahane, Rohit others are still in the team because they are from Mumbai. I would have trusted Mayank to do the Job. Couple of bad tests woudn’t rule the hardowrk he has put in past tests. #INDvsENG @BCCI
— Sathwik Kotagiri (@7thwik) February 9, 2021
May be repeat the Down Under formula? Big players sit out, let the young guns take control. KL should definitely play, but who should he replace? And always play Hardik. #INDvENG
— Birsa Dasgupta (@BirsaDasgupta) February 9, 2021
Reason why Rahane is a modern legend is because of his records and contributions abroad. But if those are to be relied upon to get him a place in away tests, then on the same records he doesn’t merit a place at home, and he should be used as a specialist in away tests. Like Bhuvi
— Eeshan Chaturvedi (@eeshanchtr) February 9, 2021
So agree! Same for Rohit sharma! When was the last time he made a 50+ score against the England / SAF / Australia. Just coz he went crash boom against the minnows you cnt hold on to him. He may be a white ball modern great, Red Ball cricket – well stats are speaking 4 themselves
— Born Wild (@vivekKaul18) February 9, 2021
