“This Manjrekar behind the microphone is doomsday for Team India.” Indian cricket fans had not much to cheer about after Australia’s Pat Cummins won the toss and put Rohit Sharma’s men to bat first in a capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in the big finale of ICC World Cup 2023 on Sunday.
Despite Shubman Gill’s early departure for 4, captain Sharma played a fearless knock of 47 comprising of four boundaries and three maximums. The Indian captain was undone in the 10th over in a moment of fielding brilliance by Travis Head who covered plenty of ground and took a diving catch. Four deliveries later, Shreyas Iyer returned to the pavilion for 4.
India reeling at 81/3 found stability as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul decided to play watchful innings and build partnership. Kohli scored 51 before skipper Cummins scalped the timely wicket of leading run-scorer of the tournament. India were at 148/4. Ravindra Jadeja was the next man in who could only manage to score 9 before he edged one to Josh Hazelwood in the 36th over. India were 178/5.
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Watching Indian batters struggle against the Aussies silenced the Ahmedabad crowd. Many others wondered if it was Indian commentator Sanjay Manjrekar’s doing who was present in the commentary box during the fall of Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Without any hesitation, fans pinned the entire blame on Manjrekar for “jinxing” India’s batting on the World Cup 2023 final.
Anyway to change commentary on Hotstar? Don’t want to hear Manjrekar. #INDvAUSFinal— Pratim Dasgupta (@PratimDGupta) November 19, 2023
Hotstar should have a 'mute a commentator' option. They can make it a paid feature. I would pay 100 bucks a month to never hear Manjrekar's voice again.— Roshan Ali (@crostipunctus) November 19, 2023
Manjrekar commentary killing the vibe of the match again— IndiaExplained (@IndiaExplained) November 19, 2023
In all matches involving India, Sanjay Manjrekar is the person officially deputed to represent the rival team in the commentary box.— Sudipto (@SudiptoDoc) November 19, 2023
“Cricket World Cup comes once in 4 years”Someone remove Manjrekar from the commentary box.
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 19, 2023
Just went in to get tea, and I hear Manjrekar say “right time for SKY to come in”! Is he crazy, is he asking for someone to get out??— Rajeshwari (@matkewali) November 19, 2023
This Manjrekar behind the microphone is doomsday for Team India.— Pratim Dasgupta (@PratimDGupta) November 19, 2023
Jay Shah needs to have Manjrekar escorted out the commentary box and directly to the airport.— entha (@enthahotness) November 19, 2023
When is Sanjay Manjrekar retiring as a commentator? He's done enough.— Dr Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) November 19, 2023
“Cricket World Cup comes once in 4 years”Someone remove Manjrekar from the commentary box.
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 19, 2023
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