Sanjay Manjrekar can’t always say things to please people to keep his commentary job: Chandrakant Pandit

Former India wicketkeeper Chandrakant Pandit has jumped to the defence of his former teammate Sanjay Manjrekar who was recently removed from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) commentary panel.

Chandrakant Pandit, a former cricketer-turned coach, said he has known Sanjay Manjrekar since childhood and that the former India batsman is a straightforward person.

Pandit saidcan’t say things to please people all the time to keep his job and urged the BCCI to rethink its decision over the commentator’s removal from the panel.

“I know him since childhood. He is not a man who can bring harm to someone. He is a straightforward person, which is something I always admired about him. A person who tells you the truth on your face is never liked by anybody,” Chandrakant Pandit told The Times of India.

“As a commentator, he has to sometimes say things which may be not be liked by all. He can’t say things that please people, just to keep his job.

“Sanjay isn’t against anybody. I don’t want to blame anybody for his removal, but I request the board to have a rethink about its decision. I am saying this because all the commentators give inputs about the game which are beneficial to not only young cricketers but also coaches like us.

“He may sound harsh at times, but the BCCI can ask him to tone down his language, but don’t throw him out of the profession.

“Many people like listening to straightforward views, If a batsman plays a bad shot in a crucial situation, then he has to say that on air. What’s wrong in that?”

Earlier this week, Sanjay Manjrekar said he accepted the BCCI decision to leave him out of the commentary panel for India’s interantional assignments.

“I have always considered commentary as a great privilege, but never an entitlement. It is up to my employers whether they choose to have me or not & I will always respect that,” Sanjay Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.

“Maybe BCCI has not been happy with my performance of late. I accept that as a professional.”

Sanjay Manjrekar, who has been a constant presence in BCCI commentary panels even in major tournaments including the 2019 World Cup, had a rickety ride in the commentary box over the last 12 months.

It all started when Sanjay Manjrekar called India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja a ‘bits and pieces cricketer’ during the World Cup in England.

The comments did not go well with Ravindra Jadeja, who responded with a tweet: “Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I’m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved.i have heard enough of your verbal diarrhea. @sanjaymanjrekar.”

Manjrekar also invited a lot of criticism when he had an on-air argument with co-commentator Harsha Bhogle over the visibility of the pink ball during India’s 1st-ever day-night Test.

Manjrekar apologised to Harsha Bhogle during an interaction on ESPNCricinfo and added that 2019 was his ‘worst year’ as a commentator.