‘I'm not liking…’: Sanjay Manjrekar Questions Suryakumar Yadav’s Conservative Batting

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav for what he termed as overly conservative batting in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Manjrekar praised Suryakumar’s 84-run knock in the tournament opener against the USA in Mumbai, noting that the innings showcased a calibrated change in tempo after early setbacks.

However, he suggested that the captain may have taken that cautious template too far in subsequent matches.

"Since then, I think he is taking that a bit too far. Against Pakistan, where India lost a couple of wickets, he really pulled down the shutters quite a lot. He and Tilak Varma are both playing slightly conservatively, and in the end, what happens is that people like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Rinku Singh are not really tapped into resources as much," he continued.

Is Suryakumar Yadav’s Anchoring Approach a “Dangerous Tactic” in T20 Cricket?

The former cricketer also warned against a mindset where a senior batter or captain attempts to anchor the entire innings in T20 cricket, especially while setting big totals or chasing high scores.

"In T20 cricket, that is a dangerous thing to do, where a senior player or captain feels like he has got to stay in, especially while batting first. When you are setting targets of 200 plus, if you have somebody in the top four who believes that he is the guy who has got to control the innings and make sure he is the one who will take India to a certain score, that is a very dangerous tactic,” he said..

“No batter must think like that. So, Surya must be careful about that," Manjrekar concluded.

Suryakumar has scored 164 runs in the tournament so far, second only to Ishan Kishan among Indian batters, but his strike rate of 136.13 remains significantly lower than Kishan’s 202.29.

India topped Group A with eight points after winning all their matches in the group stage and will now face South Africa in their first Super 8 fixture in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

What Did Suryakumar Yadav Say About Team Selection and Sanju Samson?

Despite the scrutiny, the captain struck a reflective tone when addressing the media, insisting that the team believes it is capable of winning every game and lifting the World Cup, even while recognising the weight of expectation in a nation of a billion people.

"The more we stay in the present, the more we pay attention to our group, the more we focus on our strengths, the better it works," Yadav said.

Rather than dismissing pressure outright, Suryakumar acknowledged it, offering a nuanced perspective that diverges from the long-standing culture of absolute certainty often projected by Indian cricketers.

He admitted the team feels the expectations but continues to focus on its strengths and collective process.

After giving Sanju Samson an extended hit in the nets on Friday, Suryakumar also moved to shut down speculation over a possible change in the playing XI.

Asked whether the lengthy net session hinted at Samson’s inclusion, he responded with a smile: “You mean I should play him in Abhishek's place? You mean I should play him in Tilak’s place?”

The remark underlined the management’s backing of current players, including Abhishek and Tilak Varma, even as questions linger over Samson’s omission despite his strong form not too long ago.

Suryakumar also signalled the team’s support for an out-of-rhythm Abhishek Sharma, stating, “Last year, he covered for us. Now it is time for us to cover for him,” highlighting a continuity-first approach.

How Does Suryakumar Yadav’s Tactical Flexibility Set India Apart From England in T20 World Cup?

India’s tactical flexibility has also been evident in their willingness to adapt to conditions rather than rigidly adhere to ultra-aggressive batting templates on tricky T20 World Cup pitches.

The team, unlike England, has shown a readiness to pull back when required while still aiming for high scores in favourable conditions.

Sunday’s clash against South Africa is expected to be India’s toughest test yet, with both sides familiar with each other and margins likely to be slimmer on the black soil wicket in Ahmedabad.

The dual narrative of cautious batting and composed leadership now frames India’s campaign as they balance aggression, adaptability, and the psychological weight of defending expectations on the global stage.

(With inputs from ANI)