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The Sanjay Manjrekar Chat


A straight bat. A tendency to play in the V, to not hit over the top. An air of calm assurance.

All characteristics of Sanjay Manjrekar the batsman.

All characteristics that he displayed, today, on Rediff Chat. Questions were played off the meat of a straight bat, no evasions or unsightly heaves...

A typical Sanjay Manjrekar innings, in fact. Read the transcript, you'll know what we mean...

Sanjay Manjrekar

Kricket (Thu Sep 5 20:45:57 1996 IST):

Hi


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 20:52:42 1996 IST):

Harsha, are you in?


SammY (Thu Sep 5 20:53:00 1996 IST):

Hello there!


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 20:53:06 1996 IST):

Yo, Kriket


Prem Panicker (Thu Sep 5 20:53:18 1996 IST):

Hotu, Harsha is just walking in, should be logging in any moment now...


SammY (Thu Sep 5 20:53:44 1996 IST):

Hello Hotu/Kricket! How are you guys? Where are you located?


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 20:55:27 1996 IST):

Hi Prem, Harsha, Sammy.... I am in Singapore


Short Leg (Thu Sep 5 20:55:46 1996 IST):

Hey, is Mr Sanjay Manjrekar in?


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 20:57:27 1996 IST):

Where is the "man of the moment" - Mr. Manjrekar himself?


shail (Thu Sep 5 20:58:00 1996 IST):

Hello, Harsha And Sanjay.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 20:58:06 1996 IST):

hi guys. i'm delighted to welcome sanjay manjrekar to this site. Of all the players I have had the pleasure of interviewing over the years, nobody has been as satisfying as sanjay. he's always been totally honest and seems to have a different and stimulating angle to talk about. he's given all of us a lot of pleasure with his batting and is now starting to do the same in a totally unrelated line. i must confess i enjoyed listening to his first album of songs, "Rest Day". so here goes, come up with all your questions on sri lanka, on pakistan, on just about anything.


Sanjay Manjrekar Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 20:58:39 1996 IST):

Yes, guys, I'm in and ready to take questions! So, shoot!


shail (Thu Sep 5 20:59:22 1996 IST):

Hello, Harsha And Sanjay.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 20:59:27 1996 IST):

Harsha, the last chat with you was tremendous.....and this with both you and Manjrekar should be twice as exciting.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:00:08 1996 IST):

sanjay, my first question to you is about something i put up on this site this week. what do you think is the best way to bowl to sanath jayasuriya and is he as good as we seem to think he is?


Aries (Thu Sep 5 21:00:09 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar, why are you constantly in and out of the side? No one could explain Amarnath, now no one seems to be able to explain you?


V GANGADHAR (Thu Sep 5 21:01:38 1996 IST):

Sanjay, suppose you are playing in a test match when India had scored 600 for three wickets. When you go to bat at number five, will you still take two hours to score ten runs?


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:02:01 1996 IST):

aries; doubtlessly sanjay will have an opinion on that one. i hope he does because i certainly have none


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:02:19 1996 IST):

Harsha: I think something different should be tried every time depending on the cricketing conditions on that particular day. The ideal example was the way the Aussies approached the Sri Lankan opening pair by bowling their slowest seam bowlers, Law and Waugh.


Sanjay Manjrekar Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:03:37 1996 IST):

sanjay; i have long held that the most logical place for you in the one-day side is at the top of the order; given that you can pace the innings and have a decent record everytime you have been at the top. what is your stand on this now? are you keen to open in one-day cricket and indeed, in test cricket?


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:03:44 1996 IST):

Ditto Harsha. I have always rated you, Sanjay, very highly - your failures notwithstanding. I thought you were technically the best batsman in India, ahead of Tendulkar - a view shared by many who know their cricket. And suddenly....it all went away. Not your cricketing ability, but your conidence. What happened?? Too many pressures?? What????


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:04:08 1996 IST):

Aries: I have realised from past experiences that to maintain my place in the side, I have to put in exceptional performances. Whenever I fail to do this, I get a Rest DAy.


Aries (Thu Sep 5 21:04:09 1996 IST):

Harsha: Since you brought it up - have any of you journalist types ever managed to make sense out of team selection? Is this Indian side the best possible, for instance? If not, who would you leave out, and who would yu pick?


Menon (Thu Sep 5 21:04:22 1996 IST):

Sanjay, Given that India lacks a good opener, will you be accepting the job of an opener if you are offered one?


shail (Thu Sep 5 21:05:10 1996 IST):

Sanjay,what are your comments on the performance of the Indian team in the Singer cup.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:05:27 1996 IST):

Mr Gangadhar: If my manager and the capitan want me to do that, I'll do exactly that.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:05:38 1996 IST):

Why do you think you were left out of the team to Lanka. Cricketing merits, or politics - which unfortunately still plague the game...


Ajay Kanjani (Thu Sep 5 21:06:26 1996 IST):

Sanjay hi This is Ajay. You have been a good performer for the Indian team then why is that you are always been left after one or two tours.Seeing India's performance i think you are the best player india has after sachin.Then why is that you are always left out for an tour even if you perform good.


V GANGADHAR (Thu Sep 5 21:06:40 1996 IST):

.sanjay, do you agree with Dilip Vengsarkar's sand that national selectors should be former test players?


Aries (Thu Sep 5 21:07:43 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar: Thanks for responding - but in England, if I remember, you did about as well as the rest, and better than some. So why the Rest Day?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:07:57 1996 IST):

HArsha: In the recent past, that is about last 20 one day innings I have scored at an average of nearly 35 runs per innings. And that too at a strike rate of more than 70. So I have been an utility player, even at number 5 and 6 where I've batted at 90 per cent of the time in the last 20 inningins.


V GANGADHAR (Thu Sep 5 21:08:42 1996 IST):

Sanjay, do you agree with Dilip Vengsarkar's stand that national selectors should be former test players?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:08:43 1996 IST):

Harsha: SO the bottom line is I've wworked at versitality in my batting


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:09:22 1996 IST):

aries; yes, on most occasions you can make sense because if you look at most sides, thirteen or fourteen guys out of sixteen pick themselves anyway. the last few places are going to be subjective and that is what invariably creates the controversy. no two guys are ever going to select the same side consistently.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:10:13 1996 IST):

After Azhar's run at the healm, you were my choice to take over the captaincy - being the senior most. I was disappointed, weren't you??


Menon (Thu Sep 5 21:10:50 1996 IST):

Sanjay , what do you think is the main reason for our poor performance in England,(especially one day matches)? Comparing the England & Indian performances in World cup we would have imagined a walkover for India


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:10:54 1996 IST):

Hotu: A bit of cricket and a bit of confidence and a bit of pressure. However, inspite of all this, one has to succeed which is what I'm working at.


Ajay Kanjani (Thu Sep 5 21:10:55 1996 IST):

Sanjay you have performed good in the world cup then what is the reason for removing you from the team.If they have removed you from the team because of the england tour then they should remove everyone from the team and get a new team.


Aries (Thu Sep 5 21:11:10 1996 IST):

Harsha: :-) Is diplomacy your second line of occupation?


V GANGADHAR (Thu Sep 5 21:12:20 1996 IST):

Sanjay, don't you enjoy your cricket? You always look so grim on the field.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:12:44 1996 IST):

hotu; interestingly, i did a very long interview with manoj prabhakar for espn a few weeks ago (before the captain was named) and he was of the opinion that in the short term, india should have sanjay as captain. he felt that sachin would not be able to handle the pressure of being the lead batsman and captain, especially if the others were failing and that india needed a thinking cricketer as captain. well...


Prem Panicker (Thu Sep 5 21:12:45 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar: When a batsman performs well and yet gets dropped, when he wants to get back into the team, what can he do? If he has batted badly he has something to work on, but what if he has batted well and still...? What goes through a batsman's - okay, your - mind at a time like that?


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:12:48 1996 IST):

Sanjay, you have got your 30's and 40's in recent games, but unlike in the past, you have failed to convert them into big scores. Why does it happen once too often with you? Lack of concentration??


Ajay Kanjani (Thu Sep 5 21:13:25 1996 IST):

Sanjay this Ajay again i am waiting for your reply, because after hearing the news it has been a great shock for me and my brother because we both like the way you play.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:14:11 1996 IST):

Menon: Our recent performances in England have confirmed the opinion of most cricketing experts that we are a great side at home and an ordinary side outside India. We need to work very hard on improving our cricket so that we can be a competitive side in any part of the world.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:14:16 1996 IST):

aries; diplomacy; wouldn't mind some of that!


Short Leg (Thu Sep 5 21:15:35 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar, Mr Bhogle, nice to see you here. Did India perform to your expectations in Colombo so far?


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:16:26 1996 IST):

sanjay; interesting, mr.gangadhar's question about looking very grim on the field. i've known a few players who are absolute characters off the field and yet on the field, they look so different. why? is it a great need to concentrate?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:17:12 1996 IST):

Ajay: Even I was a bit disappointed this time to be dropped from the side. BEcause in the past I have accepted my exclusion because my performances warranted it.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:18:14 1996 IST):

Mr G: I totally agree.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:18:44 1996 IST):

Harsha, what should Sanjay's POA be to get back into the Indian team. It's not going to be easy, but Sanjay is a tough kookie.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:19:04 1996 IST):

sanjay; i know most of the questions on this programme are going to centre around your batting and your role in indian cricket at this time. i'd like to ask you about your fielding. we always knew you were safe but have you been working a bit more on it? i think your catch at the brabourne stadium was the best i have seen by an indian since sachin's at lords.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:19:55 1996 IST):

Mr G: Even when I watch myself on the screen, I don't like the sight. I love watching Ajay Jadeja instead. I agree that I look very grim but I find it very difficult to smile when I have a job on hand. And That;s not pnly when I'm p[laying cricket.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:21:23 1996 IST):

Harsha: BEing a genuine batsman, I had to contribute to the team when our team is fielding. HEnce I've worked extra hard on my fielding so that I become an asset to the team even when we are fielding.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:21:25 1996 IST):

hotu; i don't think anybody seriously think that sanjay will not return to the indian team. i think he will have a future at the top of the order. i also think what will go in his favour is that india will play eight tests in south africa and the west indies where the going will be tough because of the fast bowlers india will be up against. remember, it was in the west indies that we first saw him come alive.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:21:35 1996 IST):

Sanjay, you have been blamed for a lot of run outs during the course of your career. Are you really the villian of the piece as you are made out to be?


Short Leg (Thu Sep 5 21:21:58 1996 IST):

Sanjay, if you weren't Sanjay Manjrekar then which international cricketer would you rather be?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:23:21 1996 IST):

Short LEg: I think we will know at the end of the tournament how well the team has really done. For the moment, there is nothing much to cherish except a win over Zimbabwe.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:24:14 1996 IST):

Short Leg: Imran Khan. And I wouldn't mind looking like him either. I'm a big fan of the man.


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:24:32 1996 IST):

Hello to all, Mr. Harsha & Sanjay - A question I have noticed that the morale of the Indian tends to get shattered very easily ,but not so in other teams.Why do you think it is so?? Is there any cricketing academy like the one in Australia(not withstanding the MRF p.a.) ?


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:24:35 1996 IST):

sanjay; for the sahara cup coming up, how do you rate india's chances against pakistan? we've had some kind of a block for a while but do you thinking beating them in the world cup and again in sharjah has eased the pressure a bit?


rummy (Thu Sep 5 21:25:00 1996 IST):

Sanjay: Have U offered ur services as a opener???


shail (Thu Sep 5 21:25:29 1996 IST):

Sanjay, What is your opinion about our opening pair? what will be your combination to give India a good start?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:25:45 1996 IST):

Hotu: I have been responsible for some runouts. However, in some cases, because I have had a record of runouts, I've been held responsible.


Menon (Thu Sep 5 21:26:14 1996 IST):

Do you think it will be a good idea to shuffle our batting order in one day matches? I think our `tail-enders' are not at all exposed to world class bowling and that could be a reason for our batting collapses. so whay not give a fair chance of batting to srinath,kumble etc in top order?


Short Leg (Thu Sep 5 21:26:34 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar: :-) I wouldn't mind looking like Imran, either. But one more serious question, you mentioned the win against Zimababwe as a plus. BUt it looks like if it rains in Lanka tomorrow, then Australia will go through on run rate. Shouldn't India have got to the target faster, knowing the possibility of rain in Lanka at this time of the year?


pankaj (Thu Sep 5 21:26:46 1996 IST):

Sanjay, My brother and I are big fans of yours. You had a great start to your career. Great tours to WI and Pakistan. What happened after that? Just one bad SA tour and a few (well! OK, quite a few :-)) runouts and then it was never the same again. Time and again we have watched you get out after getting to 20s and 30s, that just doesn't see to be you! Then there was a lot of talk in the press about you not willing to open the innings when that was the only slot available to you! With your technique we thought that you were ideal for an opener? And with India struggling for an opener that could just be your break, all , we thought, you needed was one nice slot and you would be back! And one more thing that really puzzles me is the runout. I remember you taking all those cheeky singles with Sachin. You were supposed to have a very good judgement for a run. What happened? Here is wishing you all the best in the coming season. There would be a lot of cricket played, and hope that gives you the chance to come back in a big way. Pankaj


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:27:13 1996 IST):

Siva: I agree with you. We don't have a cricketing academy which can be compared to the Australian academy.


Aries (Thu Sep 5 21:28:03 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar: Which, of all the many innings great batsmen have played over the years do you deeply wish you yourself had played?,


Nitesh Mehta (Thu Sep 5 21:28:37 1996 IST):

Sanjay, for the past few years, you are seen as a "Test Match" batsmen. Even in the One Dayers, you are not seen as someone who can clobber the bowling (even when you come in at No.5 or 6), but someone who can steady the boat in case of early wickets, or have a strike rate of 80%. at best. Hence, you are not a certainty for the one-dayers, and are competing for a place in the tests with any newcomer who performs well in the One Dayers. Are you making any concentrated effort to secure a place as an opener, as that seems to be the best possible slot for you in the current indian team ?


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:28:46 1996 IST):

n siva; interesting to see what sanjay's opinion on that would be. i am not sure that is very true . it is just that we tend to react a little more emotionally when we are playing. talking of the australian academy, it has become some kind of finishing school for them, hasn't it?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:29:08 1996 IST):

Short Leg: If it rains again tomorrow, I know the topic of discussion will be the run rate against Zimbabwe. But it would not be fair to criticise the team for slower run rate.


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:30:26 1996 IST):

S.M & H.B : Isnt India in a catch 22 situation Tendulkar has to make the runs ,he needs to make them quick & he should stay till the end.. Now isnt that asking too much.Dont you think somebody should take care of one of these - Maybe getting the runs quickly???(Vinod Kambli maybe ,not Jadeja let him bat at no.6)


Bharath Oruganti (Thu Sep 5 21:30:38 1996 IST):

Sanjay, You were once looked upon as the future Indian Captain. I would like to ask you about the present one. Since you and Sachin have played a lot of cricket together, do you think he will be able to handle the burden of 900 million people's expectations as the Captain now, or do you think that this would curb his natural flair and flamboyancy for the game??


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:31:07 1996 IST):

Nitish: I have made it clear that I wouldn't mind opening the innings in any brand of cricket. But it ultimately depends on the decision-makers to decide where I'm best utilised in the best interest of the team.


Bharath Oruganti (Thu Sep 5 21:31:16 1996 IST):

Sanjay, You were once looked upon as the future Indian Captain. I would like to ask you about the present one. Since you and Sachin have played a lot of cricket together, do you think he will be able to handle the burden of 900 million people's expectations as the Captain now, or do you think that this would curb his natural flair and flamboyancy for the game??


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:31:18 1996 IST):

sanjay; since there are a lot of questions about your role as opener, what is your opinion about having pinch hitters at the top of the order? are we seeing a passing fancy in international cricket? or is something that has come to stay? do you think that if the first fifteen overs regularly start producing a hundred runs, we might see a change in playing conditions?


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:31:31 1996 IST):

Harsha, would you chance playing three spinners against Australia. I would, at the expense of Dravid. Kumble and Joshi bowled well in the last game, and Kapoor must be played to curb the Aussie southpaws. Over to you.


Prem Panicker (Thu Sep 5 21:32:01 1996 IST):

Bharat, hi, welcome :-)


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:32:45 1996 IST):

Bharat: Sachin has handled public expectations extremely well since the age of 16. I hope the new expectations after becoming the captain would not affect him.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:33:17 1996 IST):

sanjay; just to add to my question about pinch hitters, do you think this will be a regional phenomenon? and that in australia and south africa where there is something for the seam bowlers, we might see the more traditional approach to one-day cricket? (i know using the word tradition in association with one-day cricket must be odd)


Short Leg (Thu Sep 5 21:33:20 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar, you indicated that you wouldn't mind opening in the one-day game. Do you reckon your style of batting is suited to today's style, of beginning the slog in the first over itself?


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:34:21 1996 IST):

Hey the Karnataka brigade seems to have invaded both the Cabinet & Indian Cricket team.


Prem Panicker (Thu Sep 5 21:35:31 1996 IST):

Harsha, a reader in America yesterday sent me e-mail, suggesting VVS Laxman as an opener with Sachin for the one-dayers. Have you seen him play? What do you think of him?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:35:50 1996 IST):

Harsha: I definitely agree to the pinch hitting theory and I feel the fielding restriction in the first 15 overs should be fully utilised. I don't think there will be a change in the field restriction rules in the near future as it has brought a new dimension to one day cricket. However, it is totally against the bowlers in the subcontinent, mind you, and not all over the world.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:36:00 1996 IST):

n siva; thank god that is a coincidence. can you imagine what would have happened if indian crickte, like most other sports, had been controlled in some form by ministers and bureaucrats


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:37:41 1996 IST):

prem; i have only seen vvs laxman on tv while doing domestic cricket capsules. everyone looks good in the highlights so i would reserve my view until i have actually seen a long innings. having said that, a lot of very knowledgeable people think he has a very good future.


amit (Thu Sep 5 21:37:43 1996 IST):

Hi Mr. HArsha . Do you think if India wins the toss tomorrow Mr. RTendulkar should put the Aussies in to bat or should India bat first?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:38:10 1996 IST):

Short LEg: India has never approached the first 15 overs like the Srilankans have. And whenever they have tried, they have had limited success. Hence, my role, if asked to open, would not be pinch hitting.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:38:31 1996 IST):

Good on you Karnataka to have given us the likes of Srinath, Prasad, Kumble, Johnson, Dravid and Joshi. What ever happened to the zonal quota system???


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:39:32 1996 IST):

sanjay; i know one-day cricket is the current rage and everyone has to be good at it but what of test cricket. shouldn't we be playing much more? as a cricketer what gives you greater satisfaction?


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:40:09 1996 IST):

I think the present 'one day international cricket is grossly unfair to the bowlers '. By making o.d cricket more bowler friendly this pinch hitting business can be reduced... Can it?????


amit (Thu Sep 5 21:42:11 1996 IST):

Mr. Manjrekar do you think you will make the Indian team that tours South Africa


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:42:31 1996 IST):

sanjay; i remember you told me sometime back that you were trying to forget that pakistan and west indies happened to you? did that put too much pressure ? was there a feeling within you that you had done it all?


Menon (Thu Sep 5 21:42:32 1996 IST):

Sabjay, what is your personal opinion on `Sidhu walk-out episode'?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:42:51 1996 IST):

Hotu: To be fair to the Karnataka boys, each of them deserve a place in the Indian team. However, I feel David Johnson should have been picked for a longer tour. However, like most, I'm also against the zonal representation in the selection committee.


Bharath Oruganti (Thu Sep 5 21:43:41 1996 IST):

Sanjay, You were once looked upon as the future Indian Captain. I would like to ask you about the present one. Since you and Sachin have played a lot of cricket together, do you think he will be able to handle the burden of 900 million people's expectations as the Captain now, or do you think that this would curb his natural flair and flamboyancy for the game??


shail (Thu Sep 5 21:44:09 1996 IST):

Harsha, Do you think the rule of having only two players outside the circle for first 15 overs be changed to make the ODI matches more compitative for seam bowlers?


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:44:24 1996 IST):

H.G & S.M- Im from Madras and want to know why no player from T.N has been selected after Srikanth???


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:44:43 1996 IST):

Menon: Whatever the reason, I feel no player should walk out in the middle of a tour.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:45:25 1996 IST):

amit; i think he will. remember it is a long tour on bouncy wickets. i must admit though that a lot will depend on what happens in the home series against south africa and australia.


V GANGADHAR (Thu Sep 5 21:45:51 1996 IST):

Sanjay, poor Ajay Jadeja, the team management has imposed a ban on his 'sweet'smile! I never thought the new captain would be so tough.Do you think this was neccessary?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:45:52 1996 IST):

Siva: You have Ruben Paul as a very interesting prospect for India, especially for the one dayers.


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:46:11 1996 IST):

Mr. Harsha - I was curious what was the proposal made by Mr .Dalmiya to end draws in tests??


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:46:58 1996 IST):

Mr G: Is that so? I didn't know that.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:48:01 1996 IST):

Sanjay, I've seen you taking some blinding catches close to the bat. As a senior cricketer would you still like to field in close-in positions???


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:48:05 1996 IST):

n siva; well well, wasn't there talk of regionalism in indian cricket!!! seriously speaking, i thought raman was unlucky not to get a fixed position in the side though i believe i am in a minority on that one. sanjay has talked about reuben paul. i saw him during the ranji trophy final and he didn't concede a bye for a long time. i also believe balaji rao, the young leg spinner has a very good future.


Menon (Thu Sep 5 21:49:05 1996 IST):

Sanjay, I agree with you that sidhu should not have walked out. But don't you think that the meek gentleman always suffers silently?(including you)


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:49:14 1996 IST):

Bharath: Sachin's flamboyance has already been curbed because he has been considered the only batsman in the team. The Sachin I know can play even more flamboyantly than he's been doing in the recent matches.


amit (Thu Sep 5 21:49:54 1996 IST):

WHat are India's chances against the Aussies tomorrow


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:51:24 1996 IST):

sanjay; now that sachin has settled down to play a long innings, do we need another pinch hitter? we have had a lot of questions on this site about that one and i was interested to see that sunil gavaskar has suggested ashish kapoor.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:51:38 1996 IST):

Not a word has been said about the specialist opening bat Vikram Rathore who is in Lanka. Comments.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:52:13 1996 IST):

Menon: I always believe in replying with my performance on the field. To make my point, I find this the best way.


arvindhk (Thu Sep 5 21:52:29 1996 IST):

Is there anyone from India who can rival Jayasuria in slogging ?


Bharath Oruganti (Thu Sep 5 21:53:09 1996 IST):

One last question Sanjay: If you were allowed to make one change in the way Indian Cricket is played at the highest level, what would it be? GOod luck and we hope to see some sterling performances from you againtst the Windies and the Springboks!!


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:53:28 1996 IST):

sanjay; after pakistan's great show against england, would you take a bet on them as the best test side? i know they didn't do too well in australia but under wasim akram they seem to be coming together and also, they seem to be a lot more focussed. is wasim's second run as captain the best thing to have happened to them?


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:53:30 1996 IST):

Mr. H.B & S.M- I watched the Ranji Trophy Semis & Finals & was surprised(even by Indian standards) at the poor fielding .Now if these players are going to rep. the country in o.d.i's shouldnt they be trained keeping that in mind? Why this gap between Ist class & Int. cricket?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:53:58 1996 IST):

Hotu: Except short leg and silly point where I fielded in 35 Test matches, I would now like to field elsewhere in close catching positions.


pankaj (Thu Sep 5 21:54:04 1996 IST):

This is regarding the Ind-Aus match in SL. Any idea on what the condition of the ground now? What are che chances of play on Friday? Any thing on weather forecast?


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:54:23 1996 IST):

sanjay; let me ask you the standard questions before it is too late; the best quick bowler and the best spinner you have faced? why?


Short Leg (Thu Sep 5 21:54:25 1996 IST):

Mr Manjrekar: I don't know if I am supposed to ask you about non-cricketing matters, but... :-) How's your alternate career doing? Any more album after Rest Day? And how did you get the idea of doing an album?


MCC (Thu Sep 5 21:55:48 1996 IST):

Harshad, what are the three things/changes you will make if you were to lead India against Srilanka? And why?


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:56:25 1996 IST):

Pankaj: My forecast is - cloudy skies with chances of showers, one or two may be heavy with no appreciable change in day and night temperatures.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 21:56:50 1996 IST):

hotu; rathore had a mixed series in england. he looked excellent in the county games but seemed to struggle in the internationals. i would be interested in seeing him perform in home internationals because he has a very good record at home.


V GANGADHAR (Thu Sep 5 21:56:54 1996 IST):

Sanjay, why this blind imitation of the Sri Lankan pinch hitting theory? Imran's Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup with an entirely differnet approach. They did not bother with the run rate, saw to it they did not lose many wickets, and began blasting from over 35 onwards.What did you think of this approach?


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 21:57:25 1996 IST):

Mr Harsha & Sanjay - Was there any proposal by Mr. Dalmiya to end draws in test cricket ??If yes,what was it??


Bharath Oruganti (Thu Sep 5 21:57:31 1996 IST):

One last question Sanjay: If you were allowed to make one change in the way Indian Cricket is played at the highest level, what would it be? GOod luck and we hope to see some sterling performances from you againtst the Windies and the Springboks!!


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 21:58:41 1996 IST):

Short Leg: Did you like my attempt at music? If you did, then it will encourage me to do more. I have another idea to offer related to cricket in the near future.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 21:59:29 1996 IST):

Harsha, we've good to beat the Aussies tomorrow, how would you conjure a win - tactically?


Bharath Oruganti (Thu Sep 5 22:00:20 1996 IST):

One last question Sanjay: If you were allowed to make one change in the way Indian Cricket is played at the highest level, what would it be? GOod luck and we hope to see some sterling performances from you againtst the Windies and the Springboks!!


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 22:00:32 1996 IST):

mcc; might not be a bad idea to play them the way they do themselves; i would put them in and then ask sachin to produce a flier at the top rather than bat in his more restrained style. maybe i would bat azhar at number three and use a pinch hitter at number four. but......easily said. i am in the most enviable position of being on the sidelines, you see!


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 22:00:35 1996 IST):

Bharath: We need to make a drastic change in our approach to the game at the international level. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a leaf out of Pakistan's book.


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:01:26 1996 IST):

Yeah I saw it on T.V and thought it was good. But please vinod kambli and singing ....is a little too much!!


MCC (Thu Sep 5 22:01:56 1996 IST):

Sanjay, whom would you like to make a 100-run partnership with, at the wickets? Who is your dream pick?


Vijay (Thu Sep 5 22:02:10 1996 IST):

Sanjay,What do you really feel the exact cause of the down trend of Indian Cricket.Is it lack of genuine all rounders?? ( atleast a half of that great man Kapil )


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 22:02:48 1996 IST):

It's been great talking to you Sanjay...I wish you all the best and hope to see you in the Indian cricketing lime light - where you belong. May we have many glorious innings from you.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 22:04:14 1996 IST):

Mr G: I think one should use whichever theory suits the composition of the team. I agree there should not be blind imitation of the Sri Lankan blind hitting theory.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 22:05:16 1996 IST):

Nice chatting with you too Harsha, catch you tomorrow - same time - same place and let's hope we talk about an India v Lanka Final. Good Night


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 22:05:52 1996 IST):

Nice chatting with you too Harsha, catch you tomorrow - same time - same place and let's hope we talk about an India v Lanka Final. Good Night


Vijay (Thu Sep 5 22:05:56 1996 IST):

Sanjay , I feel that you should have opened along with Tendulkar.You are sort of guy who is almost complete with batting technique.Why you have been in & out of Indian team all the while??Is it only beacuse of the wims & fancies of the Board? Pl reply Thanx


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 22:05:57 1996 IST):

Harsha: Best quick bowler, Richard Hadlee. Because there was no respite. Best spinner - Shane Warne. I feel he's the most complete spin bowler.


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 22:06:14 1996 IST):

Nice chatting with you too Harsha, catch you tomorrow - same time - same place and let's hope we talk about an India v Lanka Final. Good Night


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 22:06:42 1996 IST):

YOU AGREE GUYS IT'S BEEN A FANTASTIC SESSION. BUT SANJAY NEEDS TO LEAVE. SO CAN WE HAVE A FINAL BURST PLEASE? INCIDENTALLY, THIS WAS FRIDAY'S CHAT BROUGHT FORWARD SO THE NEXT ONE WILL BE NEXT WEEK.


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:07:37 1996 IST):

I completely disagree with the term blind hitting theory .It is a ingenious tactical move by the lankans .It saves them the 'last minute jitters'.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 22:07:59 1996 IST):

Vijay: I don't think there is a down trend. In fact, we have stagnation of Indian cricket. We need all round improvement. And yes, even at grass root levels to bring more talent forth.


amit (Thu Sep 5 22:08:31 1996 IST):

I think Azharrudin and Sachin should open the innings tomorrow for India


amit (Thu Sep 5 22:09:15 1996 IST):

What do you think of that Sanjay is it a good idea


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:09:16 1996 IST):

O.K thank you Harsha & Sanjay . Best of luck to both of you in your professions.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 22:09:39 1996 IST):

MCC: Vivian Richards.


Sanjay Manjrekar (Thu Sep 5 22:10:13 1996 IST):

Amit: No!


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:10:25 1996 IST):

Mr Harsha :Are you in India ??


Hotu Chainani (Thu Sep 5 22:10:43 1996 IST):

Good night Prem, if you are still there


SAI KUMAR REDDY JITTA (Thu Sep 5 22:10:59 1996 IST):

What do you is the main reason that is keeping you in and out of the team in the recent times. How do you are your chances of retaining your position in the Indian squad, especially in the one day side.


Vijay (Thu Sep 5 22:11:03 1996 IST):

Sanjay, Your reactions to the Sidhu episode and the way it has been handled by the Board?? Do you approve of it? Pl reply to this answer as Sanjay the person and not as cricketer.


amit (Thu Sep 5 22:11:29 1996 IST):

why not


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:11:41 1996 IST):

What about Kambli & Srinath (heheheh)??


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 22:12:09 1996 IST):

THANK YOU VERY MUCH SANJAY. IF YOU REMEMBER I HAD SAID AT THE TOP OF THE CHAT THAT I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED HAVING A CRICKETING CONVERSATION WITH HIM. MAYBE WE CAN PERSUADE HIM TO MAKE ANOTHER APPEARANCE SOME TIME. HOW ABOUT FEEDBACKS ON THIS ONE GUYS? AT YOUR LEISURE. SEE YOU SOON.


Harsha Bhogle (Thu Sep 5 22:13:00 1996 IST):

N siva; very much. here in bombay


Vijay (Thu Sep 5 22:13:42 1996 IST):

Sanjay, If you were the captain of India.How would plan to tackle Jeyasuriya and Co.Pl reply.Thanx


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:15:27 1996 IST):

It was nice chatting with you two. Let us all join in praying for rain again tomorrow.....


SAI KUMAR REDDY JITTA (Thu Sep 5 22:15:39 1996 IST):

What do you think is the main reason that is keeping you in and out of the team in the recent times. How do you think are your chances of retaining your position in the Indian squad, especially in the one day side.


Vijay (Thu Sep 5 22:17:49 1996 IST):

Sanjay, We Indians are sure its a matter of time before you stage a come back again.Good Luck to You. Why are we faring badle and fast and bouncy tracks in Australia and elsewhere??We need to prepare pacy pitches in India NOW!!.Your comments Please..


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:21:18 1996 IST):

Mr. Harsha why arent you doing commentary work for singer series ?? Not for star ???


N.Sivaramakrishnan (Thu Sep 5 22:26:04 1996 IST):

Bye every one!!!!!


Vijay (Thu Sep 5 22:28:43 1996 IST):

Sanjay, If you were the captain of India.How would plan to tackle Jeyasuriya and Co.Pl reply.Thanx


Nitesh Mehta (Thu Sep 5 22:29:09 1996 IST):

Sanjay, for the past few years, you are seen as a "Test Match" batsmen. Even in the One Dayers, you are not seen as someone who can clobber the bowling (even when you come in at No.5 or 6), but someone who can steady the boat in case of early wickets, or have a strike rate of 80%. at best. Hence, you are not a certainty for the one-dayers, and are competing for a place in the tests with any newcomer who performs well in the One Dayers. Are you making any concentrated effort to secure a place as an opener, as that seems to be the best possible slot for you in the current indian team ?


Thasin (Thu Sep 5 22:30:55 1996 IST):

SM, going somewhat off the topics - How was Azhar as a Team mate/Captain - Was he acceptable


Thasin (Thu Sep 5 22:32:10 1996 IST):

SM, going somewhat off the topics - How was Azhar as a Team mate/Captain - Was he acceptable


Thasin (Thu Sep 5 22:33:20 1996 IST):

Harsha, this page needs a refresh button.


Thasin (Thu Sep 5 22:40:22 1996 IST):

Harsha, you also need to say 'SIGNING OFF' when you are leaving!!!


Thasin (Thu Sep 5 22:40:22 1996 IST):

Harsha, you also need to say 'SIGNING OFF' when you are leaving!!!


Photographs: Jewella Miranda

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