“Selection Should Be About Indian Cricket, Not Individuals”: Manjrekar Questions ODI Choices

New Delhi: The selection of India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against England has reignited debate over the balance between experience and long term planning, with former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar questioning whether younger players are receiving adequate opportunities.
The discussion comes after the selectors once again retained veteran opener Rohit Sharma for the series, extending their faith in the experienced batter despite growing calls for a transition towards the next generation of players ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Manjrekar expressed sympathy for young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has delivered impressive performances in the limited opportunities he has received in the 50 over format. The left handed batter has registered two centuries in his last three ODI appearances and has consistently made an impact whenever selected.
His recent run includes a century against South Africa and another unbeaten hundred against Afghanistan, performances that many believed would strengthen his claim for a permanent place in the side.
While acknowledging Rohit’s experience and value to the team, Manjrekar said clarity was needed regarding the selectors’ long term vision. According to him, if the veteran opener remains part of India’s plans for the next World Cup cycle, the team management should communicate that openly.
However, he argued that selection decisions should always prioritise the future and requirements of Indian cricket rather than revolve around the stature or reputation of individual players, regardless of how accomplished they may be.
Manjrekar also reflected on the importance of managing emerging talent carefully and expressed confidence that young prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would continue to mature from recent experiences during junior international assignments.
The debate highlights the broader challenge facing Indian cricket as it attempts to strike the right balance between proven performers and the next generation expected to carry the team into the future.