The former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has recently been removed from the commentary panel. However, the former Indian wicketkeeper Chandrakant Pandit has defended his former Mumbai and Indian teammate.
As a commentator, Manjrekar has not a good image among most of the Indian cricket fans at the present moment due to involving in criticism of the players.
Manjrekar and Pandit both are friends from childhood. Defending his friend, the former wicketkeeper has claimed that Manjrekar is a straightforward person rather than a people pleaser, and he likes this character.
Sanjay Manjrekar is a straightforward person: Chandrakant Pandit
Pandit told TOI, “I know him since childhood. He’s not a man who can bring harm to someone. He’s a straightforward person, which is something I always admired about him. A person who tells you the truth on your face is never liked by anybody. As a commentator, he has to sometimes say things which may not be liked by all. He can’t say things that please people, just to keep his job.”
Though Pandit isn’t blaming anyone for Manjrekar’s removal from the commentary panel, he requests the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to rethink about this decision. As a coach, Pandit likes Manjrekar’s comments, and he also feels that it is also beneficial for the young cricketers.
He claimed, “Sanjay isn’t against anybody. I don’t want to blame anybody for his removal, but I request the board to have a rethink about its decision. I’m saying this because all the commentators give inputs about the game which are beneficial to not only young cricketers but also coaches like us.”
The BCCI can ask Sanjay Manjrekar to tone down his language: Chandrakant Pandit
Pandit admitted that Manjrekar’s comments might sound harsh. However, he believes that it can be solved by asking him to tone down his language rather than removing from the commentary panel.
Pandit added, “He may sound harsh at times, but the BCCI can ask him to tone down his language, but don’t throw him out of the profession.
“Sometimes, he makes comments spontaneously, as if he’s talking to a friend, which unfortunately appear inappropriate on air. Tomorrow, somebody else can make a similar mistake, but sacking that person isn’t the answer.”
Pandit believes that Manjrekar’s removal will not send a good message to the commentators’ society as being straightforward and criticism are the part of the game.
The former Indian wicketkeeper said, “He’s one of the commentators believes in passing his knowledge to youngsters. Sacking him wouldn’t send a good message to the other commentators. Many people like listening to his straightforward views. If a batsman plays a bad shot in a crucial situation, then he has to say that on air. What’s wrong in that?”
Everyone has different methods: Chandrakant Pandit on Sanjay Manjrekar
Pandit feels that harsh comments are very important to improve the players’ quality. According to him, it is another method to improve the game.
He added, “Sometimes, people like us are misunderstood. At times, even I am harsh with my players, but that has been accepted, because it was for the benefit of the players and the team. Everyone has different methods, but the goal is the same – betterment of the game.”
“If everyone says goody-goody things, then who’ll be left to call a spade a spade?”
A BCCI official has recently claimed that Manjrekar’s recent removal doesn’t mean the assurance of his absence for the next series too.