Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has "respectfully disagreed" with Sunil Gavaskar's critical observations on India captain Virat Kohli and the selection committee, saying integrity is "a far more important quality" than stature for a selector. In his syndicated column, batting great Gavaskar had questioned the process of continuing with Kohli as the captain of the side without a review meeting, which is the norm, and called those part of the MSK Prasad-led selection panel "appearing to be lame ducks" and lacking in stature to work with the team management.
Entering the World Cup as one of the overwhelming favourites, India's campaign ended in the semifinals with a loss to New Zealand. India, though, won seven of their nine matches in the mega event, and Manjrekar, now a commentator, also pointed to that stat.
Here's the Tweet:
Respectfully disagree with Gavaskar Sir with his views on Indian selectors & Virat being retained as capt. No, Ind did not put in a ‘much below par WC performance’, they won 7 lost two. Last one very narrowly. And integrity a far more important quality as selector than stature.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 29, 2019
"Respectfully disagree with Gavaskar Sir with his views on Indian selectors & Virat being retained as capt. No, Ind did not put in a 'much below par WC performance', they won 7 lost two. Last one very narrowly. And integrity a far more important quality as selector than stature," Manjrekar tweeted.
The Indian cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar has lashed out at the national selection committee for not questioning Virat Kohli’s undisputed position as captain despite the below par performance at the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2019. The former skipper described the panel led by MSK Prasad as “lame ducks” in his column for Mid-day, Gavaskar said that by not following established procedure by reappointing Kohli as captain, the selectors have sent the message that he can retain the job for as long as he wishes to.
(With Inputs: PTI)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sunil Gavaskar termed selectors as lame ducks.
- Sanjay Manjrekar disagrees with Gavaskar's thoughts.
- India will play a full series against West Indies, starts on August 3.