Sanjay Manjrekar attacks Ajit Agarkar and BCCI over Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion – Sanjay Manjrekar Lambasts BCCI, Demands Apology for Yashasvi Jaiswal
The Selection Controversy: Manjrekar Demands Accountability
The announcement of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin on June 14, has triggered a massive debate across the cricketing world. Among the most vocal critics of the selection is former Indian batsman and veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. Speaking on the matter, Manjrekar targeted chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for dropping young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal, stating that the selectors owe the youngster an apology for overlooking his stellar performances.
A Squad Filled with Surprises, Omissions, and Recalls
The squad compiled by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee features several unexpected decisions. Alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Axar Patel have also been dropped from the side. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan has earned a recall to the ODI setup. On the bowling front, premier spinner Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Shami have been rested as they recover from injuries. However, veterans Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have retained their places in the squad, despite a clear asterisk hanging over their overall fitness.
In a bid to inject new blood into the bowling department, the selectors have handed maiden international call-ups to seamers Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar, alongside left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey. While the rest of the squad follows expected lines, it is the omission of the young batting core that has drawn severe criticism from experts.
‘They Owe Jaiswal an Apology’ — Manjrekar
Speaking on Sportstar, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his sheer disbelief at how the selectors have managed the transition of India’s top order. He argued that players who have consistently delivered at the highest level are being unfairly sidelined to accommodate aging veterans. He highlighted the performances of both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan as prime examples of players who deserved to keep their places.
“Sai Sudharsan has got a couple of 50s in the last set of innings playing at the top of the order for India in ODIs. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s last ODI innings was a 116 not out, and these guys are not playing for India,” Manjrekar pointed out, questioning the cricketing logic behind the decision.
He went on to criticize the selectors for accommodating Rohit Sharma despite concerns over his form and fitness. “The selectors have gone with a veteran whose fitness is a question mark, and he is clearly out of form. Explain that to me, what is the logic behind that, what is the vision?” Manjrekar asked.
The Compromise on India’s Future stars
Manjrekar believes that the selection committee made unnecessary compromises to accommodate established names, sending a discouraging message to younger talents who are currently in their prime. He suggested that if the selectors felt forced to pick Rohit Sharma, they should have at least communicated respect to the dropped youngsters.
“If they were compelled, and had to make a compromise and pick Rohit Sharma for whatever reason, the first thing they have got to do is pick up the phone and apologise to Jaiswal, because this is a young player who has done tremendous things at the toughest level, he is in his prime with a bright future ahead,” Manjrekar elaborated. He further added that India currently possesses a tailor-made top three in Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, but the selectors are refusing to back them. However, Manjrekar conceded that “at least with Virat Kohli, there is some case.”
A Call for a Long-Term Cricketing Vision
The core of Manjrekar’s argument rests on the future of Indian cricket. He emphasized that India is blessed with an abundance of world-class young batters who are fully capable of replicating the numbers of senior players if given a consistent run of opportunities.
“It cannot be that the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, believes that this is the right way forward for Indian cricket. I cannot imagine him thinking this is the right way forward,” Manjrekar asserted. “If you are going to focus so much on Rohit and Virat that you are going to ignore all the others, there comes a time when you look at the way forward for Indian cricket. All of these batters like Gill, Kishan, Sudharsan, and Gaikwad are class. Give them 10 innings, they will give you the same numbers that Virat and Rohit have.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Stellar ODI Record
Despite establishing himself as a force in Test and T20I cricket nearly two years earlier, Jaiswal had to wait until 2025 to make his ODI debut due to an overcrowded top order. Despite limited opportunities, his statistical impact in the 50-over format remains highly impressive:
- Matches: 4
- Runs: 171
- Highest Score: 116* (scored in his most recent ODI match)
- Batting Average: 57.00
- Strike Rate: 86.00
With an average of 57 and an unbeaten century in his last outing, Jaiswal’s exclusion remains one of the most controversial selection calls in recent memory. As India gears up for the Afghanistan series, the spotlight will be firmly on the veteran players to justify their selection and answer the questions raised by analysts like Manjrekar.
