Sanjay Manjrekar attracted heavy criticism after having a bitter spat with Harsha Bhogle on-air during India’s capitulation of Bangladesh in the Pink Day-night Test in Kolkata.
It was a rare occurrence that the two Indian commentators express differences on air. However, it turned ugly when Manjrekar tried to remind Bhogle who the more established cricket expert was. The former Indian cricketer has played 37 Tests and 74 ODIs for India.
It all started when Harsha Bhogle suggested that a post-mortem, as well as the players’ consent, was needed about the visibility of the pink ball in the evening. However, Sanjay Manjrekar argued that there were indeed no issues with the visibility of the ball and that “you need to ask those who have played cricket.”
“Well, there a post-mortem should be done on this game. Visibility of that ball will be a big factor against the big white sight-screen,” Harsha said.
“Don’t think so. Because when you see the slip catchers, the way they have taken catches, I don’t think visibility is an issue at all. The texture of the ball is the issue,” Manjrekar replied.
And it all went haywire from this point onwards. While Bhogle kept on stressing upon his point, Manjrekar pointed out there was no need to seek the players’ advice about everything since certain aspects are visible to the naked eye.
“We just need to ask the players what they think,” replied Bhogle.
And then Manjrekar replied with an unmissable hint of arrogance, “You need to ask; for those who have played cricket, it’s evident it (the ball) can be seen well.” – clearly pointing out to Bhogale’s lack of playing experience. And that was enough to set Twitter ablaze with many criticizing Sanjay’s remarks as ‘rude’. Many asked for an apology while others even demanded that the BCCI put a ban on the ex-cricketer.
It is interesting to note here that Bhogle was a star commentator when Manjrekar had started his broadcasting career. He was also the first-ever Indian commentator to be invited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on the eve of an overseas tour in 1992.
Twitter Reactions
Like where does #Manjrekar get all this shitty arrogance from? As a "player", which he keeps harping on, he was inconsequential at best and forgettable at worst! Never came across a person who's so endlessly proud of his own mediocrity #INDvsBAN
— Sohini (@Mittermaniac) November 24, 2019
Some people want Devendra Fadnavis to be the CM
Others want Uddhav Thackeray to be the CM
But deep down we all want Sanjay Manjrekar to apologise to Harsha Bhogle
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 25, 2019
Knowing the gem @bhogleharsha is, he will probably take less offense to such comments than any of us. Doesn't make Manjrekar's act any less shameful. Turns out Jadeja was right to show the cunt his place.
— Sanket (@CricAussieFan) November 24, 2019
What the hell is wrong with #SanjayManjrekar. First call Murali Karthik unreliable fr a player injury status then calls him out again. And now fighting with Harsha Bhogle. @BCCI save us from Sanjay Manjrekar. #INDvsBAN
— PRASHANT SINGH (@prashantnitc) November 24, 2019
Hey Sanjay Manjrekar @sanjaymanjrekar while you were sitting on your high horse and arguing like a prick about there being no visibility issue in a condescending tone to @bhogleharsha, Mayank Agarwal just said on TV that there are issues in visibility (1). #INDvBAN
— Jerin Ephrem (@jerinephrem) November 24, 2019
Never heard a budding cricketer say:
I want to grow up and be like Sanjay Manjrekar
Never heard a budding sports presenter say:
I want to grow up and be like Sanjay Manjrekar
Harsha sir owns atleast one of these spaces. If Sanjay didn’t play cricket, he wouldn’t be on TV
— Danish Sait (@DanishSait) November 25, 2019
Harsha Bhogle is twice the man and twice the commentator that Sanjay Manjrekar can ever be. You're a piece of shit @sanjaymanjrekar .
— Yash (@SassyPenguin08) November 24, 2019
Sanjay Manjrekar seems to think having played for India is a free pass to act cocky. And Harsha wont back down.
I was reminded of some silly arguments inside bigg boss house. https://t.co/8zwfr9zwNW
— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) November 24, 2019
I think the next item on Dada's To-Do list should be de-list Sanjay Manjrekar. Adds absolutely no value, raging sycophant, makes watching Cricket a painful experience, and is an around nuisance. We deserve better
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 24, 2019
#SanjayManjrekar has played exactly the same no of cricket matches with the pink ball as #HarshaBhogle. There wasn't anything wrong in what HarshaBhogle said & Manjrekar had no business being rude on air. Never liked him when he was playing, will never like him commentating. ? https://t.co/c7Ho1fmSav
— Pallavi Deka (@pallavi_deka) November 24, 2019
