Updated 23 February 2025 at 14:46 IST
'It’s A Sorry Situation': Manjrekar Disappointed Over India Star's Omission From Champions Trophy Playing Squad
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar was disappointed over the benching of a top star in India's playing squad for the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.
Champions Trophy 2025, IND vs PAK: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed that he is upset over Rishabh Pant being benched over KL Rahul in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He acknowledged that Rahul has been fabulous in the tournament so far and doesn't think any other wicketkeeper-batter would replace him. Ahead of the PAK encounter, Manjrekar believes KL would maintain his role because of his performance and also feels sorry for Pant being benched.
Sanjay Manjrekar Disappointed Over Stumper Rishabh Pant's Benching
The Rohit Sharma-led Team India started their Champions Trophy campaign with a win over Bangladesh. Notably, the team had two wicketkeeper-batter options on the side, and they opted for KL Rahul over Rioshabh Pant to be in action. The decision to elect KL over Pant was under intense scrutiny, but he proved his worth in the game. However, Pant has been missing out on action, and Sanjay Manjrekar is unhappy with the swashbuckling stumper's benching.
“India were pretty good (against Bangladesh), most boxes got ticked. I don’t see drastic changes if the pitch doesn’t demand. Kuldeep (Yadav) needs a little more game time. Rahul got some runs, so I don’t think any new wicketkeeper-batter is going to replace him.
"Till Rahul is contributing, Pant will stay out but Pant is a rare talent for India. It’s a sorry situation for him,” Sanjay Manjrekar said while speaking on JioHotstar.
India Pakistan Rivalry Writes A New Chapter, PAK To Bat First After Winning Toss
The world is expected to come to a standstill as the fans will be glued to their viewing devices when the world's greatest cricket rivalry takes place. Fans in Dubai will be in for a massive spectacle when Team India and Pakistan lock horns against each other at 02:30 PM IST. All eyes will be on India's Shubman Gill and Pakistan's Babar Azam, who will battle for bragging rights in the game as the finest ODI batter.
In terms of the game, Pakistan won the toss in Dubai and have elected to bat first, and India will bowl against them in the first innings. The Men in Blue are heading in with the same squad, but Pakistan has one change as Imam-ul-Haq will replace the injured Fakhar Zaman in the competition.
Published By : Pavitra Shome
Published On: 23 February 2025 at 14:28 IST