The ODI World Cup 2023 is arriving in just a few months. This time, India is very optimistic as, after 2011’s edition, this is the second time they are hosting the tournament. Veteran Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has a few suggestions for the cricketers regarding the World Cup. He mainly thinks that Rohit and his team should emulate MS Dhoni’s style this time too, like in 2011.
Manjrekar on Men-in-Blue:
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar talked about whether the Indian team can break the quota of winning the ICC trophy. According to former Indian batter, the current Indian cricket team will have to absorb tactics like former captain MS Dhoni used to follow, to overcome their struggles in ICC tournaments. As they prepare for the upcoming World Cup on home ground, Manjrekar’s opinion is that India should approach knockout games with the same set of mind as any regular match. This quality was the best in MS being the captain of the side.
India lifted the World Cup title under Dhoni’s captaincy in 2011. The ‘Men in Blue’ have not won another ICC event in any format since the Champions Trophy in 2013.
While having a conversation on a Live Programme, Sanjay Manjrekar said,” For India, in the ICC events, it is not about getting through to semis. India’s problem has been the big night. I just hope and pray, with the kind of talent that they have, that they just play like Mahendra Singh Dhoni used to play a semi-final or a World Cup final like it was any other game. That is the only challenge for India considering their record in the big tournaments.”
Team India right now:
India has been a dominating force in world cricket with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and many other cricketers in the team. But when it comes to ICC events, they have been choking somewhere as since 2013 they have not clinched any big tournaments and have gone through 9 consecutive losses in ICC events.
India has done well in the league stage matches, in fact, they have dominated. But when it comes to the knockout matches, they look like a weak team. They have failed to take up the pressure and have showcased some poor performances in the big stages.
The next ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will be a grand opportunity for Rohit & his boys to end their title doubt. The main reason behind this has been the event will be commenced in. So, there is no better team than them in these pitches. It is quite fair to say that if they can handle the pressure of the big matches, none can draw them back from reaching the title.
Sanjay Manjrekar further appreciated selectors for picking a good squad for the Asia Cup 2023. He felt that good planning was now in place and the cricketers just needed to go through big matches. He explained,
“Well done (to the selectors). This is a very good squad and is very close to the World Cup squad. I think a couple of players would be omitted and we know who the fringe players are, who are likely to be under some pressure during the Asia Cup. Good squad. The planning and everything are in place. It is now just about the big nights.”
Pant could be a better choice:
With the World Cup only a few months away, every step that Rohit & company take will be to get their combinations right for the mega tournament. While the squad wears a settled look, still, they would still be looking at rectifying a few problems. Manjrekar thinks that one of the questions that revolves in his mind is around the young keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was terrific behind the stumps as well as with his bat.
Since the beginning of his career, Pant used to find himself fighting with former captain MS Dhoni and Dinesh Kartik for a place in the ODI squad. And as things stand now, he is unable to be a part of the side. However, he could be a better choice for ICC’s mega event this year. On the other hand, experienced keeper-batter, Dinesh Kartik, too is in the scheme of things. But Manjrekar thinks that he should be a good choice only for the T20 format.
Finishing lines:
Before the ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma and company will look to gain some balance in the Asia Cup next month. Sanjay Manjrekar is very positive that the squad will make a die-hard performance to grab the title.
