"It was a clear message that they were not yet ready to commit to the youth" - Sanjay Manjrekar on India's 2024 T20 World squad
Sanjay Manjrekar believes that picking Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2024 T20 World Cup indicated that the selectors weren't keen on relying just on younger players. He suggested that India played safe by going with experienced stars for the ICC event.
The Men in Blue are currently unbeaten at the 2024 T20 World Cup. They trumped Ireland, Pakistan and the United States of America (USA) in the group stage, which was followed by comprehensive wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the Super 8 round.
Commenting on India's squad for the showpiece event, Manjrekar wrote in his column for the Hindustan Times:
"It felt as though the Indian selectors played it safe with their selections for the T20 World Cup squad. In picking Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, it was a clear message that they were not yet ready to commit to the youth; they still wanted some experience around for an ICC event."
Manjrekar mentioned that while India have picked senior stars in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they have still played with an attacking approach, pointing out how Kohli has looked to score runs at a brisk pace instead of anchoring the innings. He added:
"The brand of cricket India are playing in this WC is one we have never seen before, and something we are trying to come to terms with. To Virat’s credit, for someone who doesn’t like getting out (a trait that can be a weakness in T20 cricket), he has also committed himself to taking risks regularly and seems okay, as of now, with getting out while taking those risks."
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's performances have left a lot to be desired. The Men in Blue would want the two proven campaigners to come to the party in the all-important business end of the tournament.
"The brand of cricket on show is going to be modern and dynamic" - Sanjay Manjrekar on India's approach with the bat
Sanjay Manjrekar remarked that despite going with the safe option of having senior players in the lineup, the Indian team's approach and brand of cricket have been quite modern.
The cricketer-turned-commentator elaborated:
"The way India have batted so far conveys that even though selections have taken a more traditional and cautious route, the brand of cricket on show is going to be modern and dynamic."
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played with positive intent right from the start in the recently concluded encounter against Bangladesh. Sharma departed after a quick-fire 23, while Kohli showed glimpses of fine form with a 37-run knock.
India will now face Australia in their last match of the Super 8 round. The game will be played at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on Monday, June 24.