Manjrekar questions ODI selection, calls for apology to Jaiswal

Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the BCCI selectors' decision to include Rohit Sharma in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan were excluded. The former India batter criticized the Ajit Agarkar-led committee for not prioritizing the future of Indian cricket, despite the readiness of young talent.

Speaking on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast, Manjrekar noted that Jaiswal had solidified his position in the national setup after scoring an unbeaten 116 in his last ODI appearance against South Africa in Vizag last December. He also highlighted the strong beginning of Sai Sudharsan, who has scored three fifties in four ODIs.

Manjrekar stated, "Sai Sudharsan has three fifties in four innings for India in ODI cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s last innings was an unbeaten 116. And yet, these guys are not playing for India. Instead, the selectors have gone with a veteran whose fitness is a question mark and who is clearly out of form. Now explain that to me. What is the logic behind it? What is the vision?"

He further expressed that if the selectors insisted on keeping Rohit Sharma in the squad, despite questions about his form and fitness, they owed Jaiswal an explanation for his omission. "If they were compelled to make a compromise and pick Rohit Sharma for whatever reasons, then the first thing they should do is pick up the phone, call Jaiswal and apologise. This is a young player who has done tremendous things at the toughest level in Test cricket. He is just 24 years old, in his prime, with a bright future ahead of him." Manjrekar remarked.

He added that Jaiswal has participated in only four ODIs for India, accumulating 171 runs despite his consistent performances across formats. He emphasized that with Rohit reaching 39 and having already played in three ODI World Cups, India should work on building a team for the 2027 edition.

"Everybody knows what the right thing to do is. When you look at numbers and try to justify the selection, that’s not really the job. The job is to do what’s best for Indian cricket going forward. Is Rohit Sharma going to be your key player for the next 50-over World Cup in the years ahead?" Manjrekar questioned.

He remarked that while he understood the justification for retaining Virat Kohli due to his ongoing form and fitness, the same could not be said for Rohit. He emphasized the selectors' role in looking beyond established players and considering young talent ready to serve Indian cricket effectively.