Shubman Gill gives Sanjay Manjrekar 'belt treatment' for disrespecting Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Sanjay Manjrekar had earlier claimed that playing the ODI format is the easiest for a top-order batter; however, India captain Shubman Gill has clearly taken him down with a clear statement that no format is 'easy.'

One of India's most legendary batsmen, Virat Kohli, who is also known as the modern-day master of the longer format of international cricket, the ODIs, has been deemed low by former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who considers that ODI cricket is the easiest format for a top-order batter.

This statement was made when Manjrekar opined about Kohli's sudden disappearance from Test cricket and his lack of prowess in the longest format for the last five years. Adding to these, Manjrekar reignited the controversy with another blunt remark.

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Sanjay Manjrekar picks Suresh Raina as a better batter than Virat Kohli

Explaining his opinion that ODIs are the easiest format of cricket for top-order batters, he claimed that the Indian team's history marks middle-order batters from Tests who were desperate to play at the top of the order in ODI cricket.

The first advantage, according to Manjrekar, would be that while opening in a 50-over game or in the top order, there are no multiple slips or gully, putting the pressure on the batter, and the bowler would not be targeting a wicket but rather would try and get defensive first up.

He next opined that for any good enough players, they take full advantage of the powerplay and then easily rotate strike to get to their centuries; however, a tough place would be at no. 4, 5 and 6, where batters like Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, and Suresh Raina have scored their runs.

Manjrekar went on to claim that one-day cricket would be the last place where he would look for his modern-day batting great since it offers way too much to the top-order batters and has nothing much in an equilibrium.

Shubman Gill launches scathing attack on Sanjay Manjrekar

Shubman Gill returned to captain the Indian side for the New Zealand series, and the question he had to face was what his opinion was on the likely nature of ODI cricket and, as an opening batter, did it seem very much more appealing to him than others in the middle order?

Shubman Gill stated that India never managed to win an ODI World Cup in the last three editions since 2011; this in itself proves how difficult it is and how demanding the format is.

"The last time we played ODIs against New Zealand, I made my debut, and I always cherish that," he said. "I don't think any format is easy; if you look at it, the Indian team hasn't won an ODI World Cup since 2011. It's easy to say, but no format is easy, and it requires a lot of effort and determination," said Shubman Gill ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand.

India's upcoming ODI schedule

India will play the ODI series against New Zealand with Shubman Gill as their skipper. They would not have any further ODI matches after the 18th of January, which marks the final game of the series.

They would then play against England in the June-July window, with the schedule yet to be declared officially; however, it was revealed during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy last year. That would mark Shubman Gill's maiden series in England as captain and the return for Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after the IPL.

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