‘Rohit Sharma's average would have dropped to 30s in England': Sanjay Manjrekar slams former India captain's Test record
Rohit Sharma may have hung up his Test whites, but for former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, certain remarks about the Indian opener's record stir 'the bee in my bonnet.'
Manjrekar was referring to a statement made by Shubman Gill, who recently succeeded Rohit as India's new Test captain. During his first media interaction, Gill mentioned the pressures of attempting to fill the void left by the Test retirements of Rohit and Virat Kohli within a short span last month.
In a video shared on his Instagram account, Manjrekar said, 'Right recently, Shubman Gill made a statement, India's new test captain about how he is now going to feel the pressure of the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the England season, the Test series there. And it stirred up the bee in my bonnet, which has been there for a while. It's not so much about the statement, but the fact that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli tend to get clubbed together.'
Manjrekar was displeased that Rohit and Kohli found equal importance in the set-up, when the latter has built a far superior Test record with nearly double the runs. While Rohit amassed 4301 runs in 67 Tests, averaging 40.57, Kohli finished as India's fourth-highest Test scorer at 9230 runs at 46.85 in 123 appearances.
A post shared by Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaysphotos)
'We even have a term for them, RoKo. I can understand it in white-ball cricket; there's some comparison, and they're comparable players. Although there's an argument there as well, but that's for a later time. When it comes to red-ball cricket, there's absolutely no comparison between the two. And I will never ever put them in the same bracket. Just to give you some numbers, so you don't have to take my word for it.'
'When it comes to SENA countries, the true test of a batter, Virat Kohli has got 12 hundreds. 30 Test 100s as well. Rohit Sharma in SENA countries, just the one against England at Oval 2021. He's played over 100 innings, just one hundred in SENA countries. And the average now is 40.'
Rohit and Kohli called it quits from the Test format on the back of their poorest season in whites. While Kohli failed to light up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia despite a century, Rohit withdrew himself from the final Test in Sydney in January.
'And I dare say, had he continued playing or had he gone to England, that average would have dropped in the 30s. I can't be absolutely sure, but that would be my educated guess. So, when it comes to Test cricket, please, red-ball cricket, Virat Kohli is in a different league when you compare him with Rohit Sharma. This comparison in red-ball cricket between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and putting them in the same bracket, I say, Roko, stop that,' remarked Manjrekar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
37 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Dressing room seems like a funeral, but we can still qualify: Marquez after Hong Kong defeat
"The dressing room is like a funeral (site)," said Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez as he struggled to explain the 0-1 loss to Hong Kong here even though he remained optimistic about the team's chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. India conceded in the fifth minute of stoppage time on Tuesday, slumping to a second straight goalless outing in Asian Cup qualifiers, jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup. '...we are not very happy. We are sad. The dressing room is like a funeral, practically,' Marquez said when a question on the future of the team came up, insisting that it was not the time to dwell on that aspect. '...But I still think that India has possibilities to qualify,' he declared nonetheless in the post-match press conference. Ranked 26 places above their opponents in the FIFA charts, the Indians were undone by poor finishing and lack of composure in key moments. India should have taken the lead in the 35th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan misjudged the delivery and fluffed a golden chance from close range. 'The game is easy to speak. Two teams fighting and that's all. Without too many chances. I think both teams defended both with order and one action. This is football,' he said, trying hard to find the right words to explain the performance. India now have just one point from two matches in Group C. With only the group winners advancing to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, the task ahead would be arduous. '...we are not in a good moment. In terms of scores, it's difficult for us to score. But it's true that the team played with more order than in other games. This is true. But, unfortunately, we couldn't get any points here.' Marquez also lamented his side's inability to settle for a point. 'I repeat again, it's for me a very equal game and unfortunately for us, practically in the last action, we lost at least one point and Hong Kong have three points. I told in the dressing room, obviously we want to win. 'But sometimes the team doesn't know how to draw. And today, if you couldn't win the game before the minute 90-91, at least try to be in a position to avoid the defeat. But I feel that India is still in the fight.' Asked how India can fix their scoring woes, the coach responded with an honest reflection. 'Sometimes you never know. One day, this is not a problem of the national team, it's in clubs also. Sometimes there are four, five, six games that you don't score and suddenly you score three-four goals...' However, he steered clear of criticising individual players but conceded that at times, nerves are getting the better of them. 'I cannot say nothing negative about the players. I think that the effort was there, the attitude was there, the plan of the game was there. In some moments, I feel that we can play better with the ball and be more brave,' he said. 'But this is about the situation that the team is not winning and the players are a little nervous. In some actions that the pass is clear, we are a little nervous,' he admitted. Since taking over from Igor Stimac last year, Marquez has overseen eight matches with only one win — a 3-0 friendly victory over Maldives. India have drawn four and lost three, including both critical Asian Cup qualifiers. The team has scored just five times while conceding nine, failing to find the net in their last three outings.
The Hindu
37 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Had conversation with Nitish, want to see him bowl more overs: Morne Morkel
Nitish Reddy can produce "magical" deliveries but India's bowling coach Morne Morkel wants the batting all-rounder to bowl more overs to complement his primary skill-set of batting in the upcoming five-Test series against England. Reddy, who scored a Test hundred against Australia at the MCG in the last year's 'Boxing Day' Test is fighting for seam bowling all-rounder's slot in the playing XI with seasoned Shardul Thakur, who is more of a seamer. Reddy bowled 26.5 overs in the two 'Tests' against England Lions and Morkel has "challenged" his ward to bowl more. 'I think he (Reddy) is skillful. He is a guy who can bowl that magical ball. So for him, it is about creating that consistency and that's something we want to work on. It's important for his game as well,' the former South African fast bowling great said on sidelines of India's training session. 'I've had conversations with him where I've challenged him to bowl a bit more. I want to see the ball more in his hands. We all know what he can do with the bat. But for a team, if you can have those bowling options, especially in these conditions, I think he'll be one to be excited and compliment his bowling at that,' said Morkel. Morkel predictably didn't want to reveal team management's cards when asked who between Reddy and 11-Test old Shardul Thakur will get the nod for the Leeds Test. 'In terms of the balance, we've got very happy with that. But for us as a bowling unit, finding that gear that we're going to need in Test matches is going to be important.' The lanky former Proteas spoke about possible match-ups. 'We've spoken a lot about how we're going to go about playing and match-up England. But I think so far we're in the right way in terms of doing the preparation. And for us, like you say, when it comes to match day, with the ball, it's about execution.' Morkel is confident that Indian team has covered all its bases in terms of squad election. 'I think in terms of that we cover, like you say, all the bases. But for us now, the key thing is to get Test match fit, ready, that sharpness, to get that back. We haven't played Test matches for a while now. 'In England, the conditions can suit you and it's overcast, but still it's going to be good surfaces. I think we're going to be testing that.' The key is to have players fit and match-ready ensuring that the stay 90 overs on the field, said Morkel. "We've only had three sessions so far. We've got a four-day warm-up game (vs India A) starting in two days' time. I'm going to be more interested to see how our guys go in that four-day game," Morkel said. While India has already had three sessions, Morkel said it is not a great indicator about a player's physical ability to stay on the field. 'It's one thing judging a net session, but for our guys to stand in the field, getting used to doing 90 overs in the field, that's going to take some time. We need to realise that and we need to be patient with that. 'We need to find a way to get up to speed as quick as possible because that's going to be a real test.' Morkel feels that sudden change of temperatures and chilly weather can lead too to stiffness. 'English outfields are quite heavy. The weather conditions are quite cold, so your body can stiffen up. So it's one thing for me ticking a box, doing well in the nets, but again, it's that match fitness, that time in the field that we need to, as quick as possible, find a way to get up to speed with.' Morkel couldn't be more happier watching the players take ownership and responsibility during training sessions. 'I think that's one of the things that has impressed me so much in these two-day sessions we've had. The guys sort of stepped up by themselves. They've taken that ownership, that responsibility, and realizing that it's going to be a tough tour. 'I think that's the pleasing thing as coaches, to see guys taking that leadership and ownership in practice.' Morkel also brushed away theory about Jasprit Bumrah being under-cooked with only some IPL matches in his kitty. 'He (Bumrah) knows how to get himself ready. He knows how to prepare. And like you say, I was blown away to see the energy in the ball the last three days. So that's very exciting to see happy 'Boom'.' 'I'm just happy his body is in good shape at the moment and we'll manage him with that. And we'll be smart with him because he's obviously key for us,' he concluded.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Indian men's hockey team suffers third consecutive defeat in Pro League, loses 3-4 against Argentina
Sloppy defending cost the Indian men's hockey team dearly as it went down 3-4 to Argentina, slumping to its third consecutive defeat in the European leg of the FIH Pro League here on Wednesday. India had earlier lost 1-2 and 2-3 against Olympic champions Netherlands here. On Wednesday, the Indian defence were caught off guard by the Los Leones as they scored through skipper Matias Rey (3rd minute), Lucas Martinez (17th), Santiago Tarazona (34th) and Lucio Mendez (46th) to secure the win. India's goals were scored by skipper Harmanpreet Singh (12th, 33rd) and Abhishek (42nd). After back-to-back defeats against Netherlands, the Indians started positively and had the better share of possession in the first quarter. But it was Argentina who took the lead in the third minute through captain Matias Rey, courtesy an unforced error from Indian defender Amit Rohidas. Trailing, India, however, pressed hard and dominated the remaining of the quarter and finally restored parity in the 12th minute when skipper Harmanpreet converted a penalty -- the team's first penalty corner -- as both the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of the first quarter. Argentina, however, were the better side on display in the second quarter and took the lead again two minutes into the quarter when Martinez scored from top of the circle, courtesy again a defensive error from Rohidas. While the Indians used the ariel ball to perfection, unforced errors and sloppy defending proved to be their undoing. Three minutes after the change of ends, India equalised through a penalty stroke conversion by Harmanpreet, his second goal of the day. But India's joy was shortlived as 60 seconds later another defensive lapse cost the Harmanpreet-led side dearly when Tarazona pounced upon a mistake to hand his side the lead again. Argentina secured their first penalty corner soon but India defended stoutly. India pressed hard and secured their second penalty corner in the 39th minute but failed to utilise the chance. In the 42nd minute, Abhishek equalised for India, scoring from a rebound after Jarmanpreet Singh's initial shot from top of the circle was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Satiago. But it was heartbreak for India 18 seconds into the final quarter when Mendez scored to hand his side the decisive lead, courtesy another defensive lapse from the Indian backline. India had another chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty corner in the 55th minute but wasted the opportunity. With three-and-a-half-minutes remaining and trailing by a goal, India withdrew their goalkeeper for an extra field player but that move didn't yield any result. India will again play Argentina in a return leg match here on Thursday.
