Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has taken a swipe at head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa national cricket team in their Super 8 opener of the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad. The loss, the heaviest ever for India in T20 World Cup history, has pushed the defending champions to the edge of elimination and severely dented their net run rate. Widely backed to become the first side to successfully defend a T20 World Cup crown, the Suryakumar Yadav-led outfit now face must-win games to stay alive in the tournament.
Manjrekar questioned several tactical decisions, particularly the elevation of Washington Sundar to No. 5 during India’s unsuccessful chase of 188 after early wickets. The move came after Sundar was preferred over vice-captain Axar Patel, a selection that had already sparked debate, though team management described it as a tactical call. Speaking on Stump Mic on CNN-News18, Manjrekar used a pointed analogy to describe Sundar’s expanding role in the XI. “Kailas Jeevan, there used to be a medicine by that name back in the day. If you had a headache, you would use it. If you had a stomach issue, you would take it. It was an all-in-one remedy. Gautam Gambhir seems to have an all-in-one solution for everything too, Washington Sundar,” Manjrekar said on CNN-News18’s Stump Mic while analysing India’s batting performance. “If there’s a batting problem, Washi. If there’s a bowling problem, Washi. He was promoted up the order to No. 5 today, and then Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya walked in at No. 7. It was just too much,” he added. South Africa capitalised on India’s vulnerability against changes of pace, with Lungi Ngidi troubling the batters through well-disguised slower deliveries. Manjrekar stressed that this area requires urgent attention, singling out captain Suryakumar Yadav. “Forget fast bowling, focus on playing the slower balls. They are not able to handle slower balls or spinners. The captain is struggling the most against slower deliveries,” he said. India now turn their focus to a decisive clash against Zimbabwe national cricket team. Not only must they win to keep their semi-final hopes intact, but they will also need a comprehensive victory to repair the damage inflicted on their net run rate in Ahmedabad.