'We know the culture around big-name players': Sanjay Manjrekar slams omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal from India ODI squad for England series

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'We know the culture around big-name players': Sanjay Manjrekar slams omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal from India ODI squad for England series originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Sanjay Manjrekar called Yashasvi Jaiswal's ODI omission "harsh" despite his strong recent returns.
• He questioned the culture around big-name players, insisting selection should be about Indian cricket, not individuals.
• Jaiswal made way for Rohit Sharma despite two centuries in his last three ODIs.

Sanjay Manjrekar slams omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal from ODI squad for England series​

Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned the omission of in-form opener Yashasvi Jaiswal from India's ODI squad for the England series, framing it as the latest example of a long-standing issue in Indian cricket. The former India batter argued that selection decisions involving senior stars are rarely made on cricketing merit alone.

Jaiswal's exclusion raised eyebrows given his recent output, particularly an unbeaten 110 off 86 balls against Afghanistan in Chennai. The left-hander had come into the side as Virat Kohli's replacement during the Afghanistan series but made way once the former captain returned to the fold.

With Rohit Sharma continuing as opener alongside captain Shubman Gill, Jaiswal now faces a prolonged wait for opportunities. The situation has prompted concerns about his ODI future ahead of the 2027 World Cup, and Manjrekar believes the decision deserves scrutiny.

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Sanjay Manjrekar calls Yashasvi Jaiswal's omission harsh​

Speaking during an online interaction, Manjrekar described Jaiswal's omission as unfortunate, pointing to the opener's remarkable conversion rate in a short ODI career as justification for his case.

"Yashasvi has scored two hundreds in his last three ODIs. He made 116 not out against South Africa, then after a gap, scored four and a hundred. Anyone opening in India's strong ODI side will get opportunities, and Yashasvi has made the most of them. So yes, it is unfortunate and a bit harsh," Manjrekar said.

He then turned his attention to Rohit's continued presence, urging the selectors to be clear about their reasoning if the veteran was being retained for long-term strategic purposes.

"If the selectors have picked Rohit, I hope it's because they genuinely see him as part of the 2027 World Cup plans. Otherwise, that place should have gone to somebody else," Manjrekar added.

The culture around big-name players​

Manjrekar's sharpest criticism was reserved for what he sees as a recurring failure in Indian cricket to make purely merit-based decisions when senior, high-profile players are involved.

"We all know the culture around big-name players. Decisions are rarely as simple as judging on cricketing merit alone. That seems to be the case with Rohit too.

"If the selectors believe Rohit is part of the long-term plan, they should say so. But if he is being picked because they are not ready to drop him, then it reflects a problem Indian cricket has had for years," Manjrekar said.

The former batter went further, insisting that the interests of the team must always come before the standing of any individual, however celebrated. "Selection should never be about what's best for Virat, Rohit, or Bumrah. It should always be about what's best for Indian cricket," Manjrekar asserted.

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Backing for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi​

Manjrekar also offered his support to 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, referencing the youngster's recent verbal altercation during India A's tri-series in Sri Lanka. The former batter believes the teenager has matured from the experience.

"He has learned a lesson. He seems a very aware and mature guy and will handle such situations much better in the future," Manjrekar said. With Sooryavanshi poised for a senior India debut against Ireland, the backing from a respected voice adds to the growing anticipation around the prodigy's rise.


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