Manjrekar Praises Balanced Contest in T20 World Cup 2024
Former Indian Cricketer’s Disillusionment with IPL 2024
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his satisfaction with the balance between bat and ball in the T20 World Cup 2024. Contrasting this with his experience in the IPL 2024, Manjrekar noted that the IPL heavily favored batters, leading to his disillusionment. In his column for the Hindustan Times, Manjrekar wrote about his excitement for the T20 World Cup, where batters have not been able to dominate as they did in the IPL.
Records Tumble in IPL 2024
The IPL 2024 saw numerous records shattered due to flat batting tracks and the Impact Player rule. Teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) set the record for the highest-ever total, while Punjab Kings (PBKS) chased down a record total of 262 runs. Manjrekar highlighted a particular match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens, where Mitchell Starc struggled to defend runs against Karn Sharma in the final over.
A Reality Check at Eden Gardens
Manjrekar recalled commentating on the match where RCB’s Karn Sharma hit Starc for three consecutive sixes. This moment was a reality check for Manjrekar, showing him the extent to which the balance had shifted in favor of batters. He questioned the significance of accomplished batters’ performances if even a No. 9 batter could hit such shots.
Better Balance in T20 World Cup 2024
In contrast, the T20 World Cup 2024 has shown a better balance between bat and ball. The low and slow pitches in the Caribbean and the swing and seam conditions in Texas have forced batters to play cautiously. The New York pitch has particularly favored bowlers, dominating over batters.
Excellence in T20 Batting
Manjrekar noted that this World Cup has showcased sporadic excellence in T20 batting. Batters who relied on flat pitches to hit through the line without worrying about the ball’s movement have struggled. These challenging pitches have filtered out the ordinary, highlighting the truly skilled players.
Tournament Progression
The New York leg of the T20 World Cup 2024 has concluded, and the tournament will now move to Florida before the later stages are played in the West Indies. Manjrekar concluded by appreciating the balanced competition and expressing his excitement for the upcoming matches.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)