Audio: Sanjay Manjrekar and Harsha Bhogle argue over visibility of pink ball at Eden Gardens

Sanjay Manjrekar and Harsha Bhogle argue: The two commentators were involved in a heated conversation during the match.

While not many would have thought of India’s first day-night Test match with the pink ball ending under seven sessions, the same happening speaks highly about India’s domination in the format these days.

It was another clinical performance from the hosts which saw them registering their third consecutive series whitewash.

In what was an otherwise highly successful event, a chink in the armour appeared when former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar and renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle argued over the visibility of the pink ball while calling the match.

“When there’s a post mortem done of this game and there should be a post mortem of this game, visibility of that ball will be a big factor against the white sight screen,” Bhogle said while commentating on Day 3.

“Don’t think so because when you see the slip catches, I don’t think visibility is an issue at all. The texture of the ball is the issue. You think Virat Kohli wasn’t seeing the ball properly,” Manjrekar replied against what Bhogle said.

“You need to ask Harsha…”

Bhogle was then heard laying emphasis on asking not just India captain Virat Kohli but all other cricketers as well. While Bhogle continued to express his opinion, Manjrekar continued to oppose him eventually saying that former players get a fair idea by watching the match.

“Well, you need to ask, Harsha. For us, who’ve played the game get a fair idea about what’s happening out there. I’ve been cricket for two and a half days, I don’t think visibility is an issue. We’ve seen some terrific catches taken in the slips,” Manjrekar added.

“There’s a reason I’d ask everyone because when you’ve played the game, you get a very good idea of what’s happened or what the conditions are but it cannot be a limitation to learning.

“If you had only asked players, there would have never been T20 cricket. You’ve never have heard day-night cricket. Sometimes, it’s better to ask everyone what they think and then justify your hypothesis rather than rolling it out before asking,” Bhogle replied.

“Point taken but don’t agree,” Manjrekar ended the conversation.

Sanjay Manjrekar and Harsha Bhogle argue

Harsha bhogle and Sanjay manjrekar having a difference of opinion on live tv pic.twitter.com/0TTSLQDCvO

— Vijay (@flighted_leggie) November 24, 2019

This is boorish and absolutely unnecessary from @sanjaymanjrekar. Pity. What does it cost to be civil to a fellow commentator who was asking a very valid question? “You need to ask.” Really. https://t.co/M7uhsyFpgD

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) November 24, 2019

This is unnecessarily condescending and disappointing coming from someone such as @sanjaymanjrekar who I have respect and affection for. Of course playing the game at the highest level is great. But, as @bhogleharsha says, no harm at all in asking those involved in THIS game. https://t.co/MTvIVLzcK0

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) November 24, 2019

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About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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