Commentators calling the matches live sometimes find themselves sitting on a slippery slope. While their analysis of players and match situations are debated and discussed upon, they are also subject to troll for a common sense error as well. Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding had once schooled former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar for the same during an ODI match between England and India in 2011.
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It was the fourth ODI of Natwest Series at Lord’s. The then Indian captain MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina were at the crease with veteran English pacer James Anderson bowling the 44th over of the innings. On the fifth delivery, Dhoni and Raina scampered through for a quick single with Anderson going in for a run-out attempt.
With Dhoni and Anderson running in the direction of the ball, the duo collided and the latter fell to the ground post the impact while the former completed the run easily. Anderson lay on the ground for some seconds in pain as Dhoni was seen apologizing for the inadvertent push.
Michael Holding Schooled Sanjay Manjrekar For Exhibiting Lack Of Common Sense
Calling the match alongside Manjrekar at the time, Holding came up with a light-hearted comment on Dhoni’s size being bigger than Anderson’s, and which was the reason the Englishman was on the ground post the collision.
“Think if you look at the size of the two, many would know which one would win that,” commented Holding.
While Holding’s remark was absolutely clear and made complete sense, his partner in the commentary box, for some reason, thought Holding claimed Anderson to be bigger in size than Dhoni.
“But with Dhoni, size can be slightly deceptive. He’s a strong man, too,” Manjrekar remarked.
Holding laughed off while stating that that’s what he had meant as well – that Dhoni would win.
Sanjay Manjrekar Impulsively Defends Himself
As an impulsive reaction, Manjrekar further replied that he thought Holding compared the heights of the two individuals while talking about the size. As if schooling an adolescent child, Holding replied by stating that sizes are never about height, while also came up with an apt example to prove what is nothing but common sense.
“Size doesn’t come in height, Sanjay! Tall trees as easily felled. Its the width,” replied Holding.
What followed was a period of silence as Manjrekar was humbled on live television. He would have resumed describing the action off the very next delivery, but Anderson was yet to begin with his run-up, thus, making him a fish out of water.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s Controversial Statements As Broadcaster
Manjrekar has been a popular name in the commentary box for quite some years now. However, some of his ‘hot-takes’ on certain cricketers have not been received well by the fans, who have slammed him for the same across social media platforms.
One of his most infamous comment was directed at India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Terming him a “bits and pieces” cricketer, the remark had managed to rile up Jadeja, who went on to attack the former via his Twitter handle. Read more on the aftermath of the controversy by clicking here.
A section of fans had also slammed him for his old comment on former India captain Virat Kohli, when he had requested the Indian team management and Dhoni to hand him one more Test match to make sure that he doesn’t belong to Test cricket. For the uninitiated, it was during India’s tour of Australia 2011/12 when Kohli had failed to perform in the first two Tests.
Back in June 2021, Manjrekar had opined that ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shouldn’t be considered an all-time great because he hasn’t picked a single five-wicket haul in the SENA countries – South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
Fans were all over him like a rash for having made a statement against one of the best off-spinners in the sport.
