Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised serious questions over Washington Sundar's place in the India national cricket team after another disappointing performance in Belfast. Manjrekar has also taken a brutal, indirect swipe at the head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
Manjrekar did not name anyone directly, but many believe his comments were aimed at Gambhir. The cricket pundit questioned why Sundar keeps getting chances in all three formats even though he has not delivered consistent all-round performances for India.
The India national cricket team collapsed in the first T20I as Ireland defended 182 runs and stunned the visitors by 34 runs. It was Ireland's first-ever win over the T20 world champions, and with this win, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20I series against India.
Washington Sundar had a difficult outing. He was handed the ball in the 16th over. By the time Sundar came into the attack, George Dockrell and Gareth Delany were already set at batting, and the off-spinner ended up conceding 19 runs off just 6 balls and one no-ball.
Apart from his expensive spell, Sundar also failed with the bat as well. Coming in at number eight during the run chase, the all-rounder scored only 9 runs from 12 balls. He tried to play an attacking shot against debutant Matt Hollard but mistimed it and was caught in the deep.
Even Sundar dropped Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker when he was batting on 28. Tucker made full use of that chance and went on to score a match-winning fifty. After the defeat, the Indian team made two changes for the second and final T20I.
Sundar was dropped from the playing XI, and Suryansh Shedge was handed his India debut. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was also left out, with Prince Yadav making his international debut. Earlier, S Sreesanth recalled heated clash with Gautam Gambhir.
Sanjay Manjrekar's indirect dig at Gautam Gambhir over Washington Sundar's repeated chances
After the changes, Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Washington Sundar's continued selection across formats. The former Indian batter said that Sundar has been getting opportunities in every format without building a strong enough record at the international level.
He also indirectly mentioned that since Gambhir took over as the head coach, Sundar is not getting the regular chances across the formats because of merits but because of favouritism.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Sanjay Manjrekar said, “Washington Sundar is playing too many formats without a body of work; it’s since someone took over as coach: Manjrekar ?."
Washington Sundar is playing too many formats without a body of work, its since ome person took over as coach: Manjrekar ?
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) June 28, 2026Sanjay Manjrekar sends bold World Cup 2027 message on Rohit Sharma
Earlier, Sanjay Manjrekar urged that the Indian selectors should think about the team rather than Rohit Sharma before finalising their selection choices for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2027. Recently, Rohit scored 143 runs in three ODIs against Afghanistan at an average of 47.67.
The commentator said, “I mean, this will become controversial. But I think I shouldn’t care; I haven’t cared for all these years. We are in mid-2026, and that World Cup is in late 2027. I think India has options. But what happens here is when we select, we are thinking of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. We should think about what is best for Indian cricket.”
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