Asia Cup 2023: 'Hope They Remain As Candid'- Sanjay Manjrekar Praises Ajit Agarkar For His 'KL Rahul' Update

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has praised Ajit Agarkar for the way he shared information on players’ availability and injuries during the squad announcement for Asia Cup 2023.

Agarkar addressed the media for the first time on Monday (August 21) since becoming the chief selector and answered several buzzing questions. One of the major issues in Indian cricket in recent times is the lack of players’ availability and status on their injuries.

Time and again, fans and experts have expressed their disappointment over the same. Agarkar, however, made sure to answer every question in detail and managed to end all the confusion. The former India pacer revealed that while KL Rahul has fully recovered from a thigh injury but is carrying a different minor injury and thus Sanju Samson was picked as a backup. He also explained the reason behind not picking Yuzvendra Chahal in the team.

Sanjay Manjrekar praises Ajit Agarkar:

Impressed with Ajit Agarkar’s answers during the press conference, Sanjay Manjrekar praised the chief selector for the ‘candid’ interaction with the media. The former cricketer-turned-commentator singled out Agarkar’s statement on Rahul, saying that it was an important explanation from Agarkar.

“The answer about KL Rahul was important that a niggle has emerged along with the injury that he had recovered from and that is why they have that extra keeper. That kind of detail sharing of information is what you need. I hope they remain as candid. Nice articulation of all the decisions that were taken,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports.

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody also echoed Sanjay Manjrekar’s sentiments and said that he too was impressed with Agarkar’s clarity of thought and transparency.

“I did enjoy the honesty and the transparency that came across in that press conference. Communication is really important. At times, there can be that sort of cloak-and-dagger press conference where you have these hidden messages. Then really you walk out of a press conference no clearer than what you did when you walked into it,” Moody said.

The Agarkar-led selection panel has named a 17-member India squad for the Asia Cup. The continental championship is scheduled to be played from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India will be playing all of their games in Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue are scheduled to open their Asia Cup campaign against Pakistan on September 2 in Pallekele.