BGT 2024-25: Manjrekar vs Pathan, big fight on live show, but over which issue? Watch
Xtra Time Web Desk: India’s dramatic collapse in the final half-hour of Day 2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground not only handed Australia the upper hand but also sparked a heated exchange between former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Irfan Pathan. The clash occurred during a discussion on Star Sports Network, centering around Yashasvi Jaiswal’s controversial run-out that triggered India’s batting collapse.
At 153/2, with a flourishing 102-run partnership between Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, India appeared to be cruising. However, a disastrous 30-minute spell saw them lose three quick wickets for just six runs, allowing Australia to reclaim control of the Boxing Day Test.
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The debate between Pathan and Manjrekar revolved around whether Kohli could have done more to prevent Jaiswal’s dismissal. Jaiswal pushed a delivery straight to Pat Cummins at mid-on and immediately called for a single. Kohli, however, kept his eyes on the ball and refused the run. With no loud call from Kohli, Jaiswal continued running, leading to an unfortunate mix-up and his eventual run-out.
Manjrekar criticized Kohli’s decision-making, stating, “At the other end was Virat Kohli and we tend to think a little more from his side. It was a schoolboy error from Kohli to look behind and decide that there was no run. The call is not for the non-striker to make. It always belongs to the batter who has played the ball.”
Pathan, however, defended Kohli, countering with, “There is another truth of cricket that if the ball is played at point, the non-striker is the one to make a call. And the striker is at full liberty to turn it down. He can also say no sometimes.”
Post match kalesh between Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar over Virat Kohli's Run out
— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) December 27, 2024
pic.twitter.com/6WPA1uGiMX
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The argument escalated as neither expert backed down. Manjrekar sarcastically remarked, “I think the time has come for a new coaching manual to be released, which will have Irfan Pathan's version of running between the wicket.”
Regardless of opinions, India’s collapse has left them trailing by 310 runs, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja tasked with rebuilding the innings when play resumes on Day 3.
