Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that the writing has been on the wall, of Tests being the least favoured format among all and hence, defence has become of less importance to modern-day cricketers, voicing a similar sentiment to former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen.
Manjrekar’s remarks came after India suffered a shocking 30-run loss in under three days to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
India were bowled out for just 93 in the final innings, chasing a paltry 124. It came after they were bundled out for 189 in the first innings.
“The writing has been on the wall for a while and we weren’t willing to pay attention to it. The fact of today, for the last five years at least, is that Tests have slowly
but surely become the least favoured format for everyone involved, especially the players coming through the ranks and most stakeholders as well,” Manjrekar said while speaking on his Instagram handle.
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“It is the last priority compared to T20s, private leagues and 50-overs cricket. So what happens is that Tests are the only format that forces you to sharpen your defensive skills,” Manjrekar said.
“That is why players until 2000 were so obsessed with wanting a good defence because Tests were the No. 1 format. Now, because it is the third priority for a player, defence becomes the last priority for a player, which means a batter’s ability to keep the good balls away is diminishing,” Manjrekar added.
India’s defeat to South Africa was their fourth loss in six home Tests, stretching back to the 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand. It marked the second-lowest target India haven’t been able to chase in Tests as well.
Manjrekar believes the batters of the current generation find it easier to smash sixes into the second tier than defend good balls in Tests.
“Ask them to hit the ball into the second tier of the stands and every batter today will be able to do it. But to keep good balls away is a tough one for today’s players and they cannot be blamed for that,” Manjrekar said.
“It is just how cricket has panned out over the last few years. So if you want to see a good Test series, the time has come for us to have pitches like we had in England. That is why we had a great series to watch,” Manjrekar added.
