Look beyond IPL 'make-up' to fix India’s overseas T20 debacle,' says Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar (Pic: File pic)

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said instead of blaming the players for the T20I debacle, attention should be on addressing issues in the IPL, while selectors should pick players without the 'IPL make-up' as India will play a lot of cricket overseas.

The national side experienced a disappointing tour of the UK, suffering a 0-2 clean sweep against Ireland before enduring a comprehensive 0-4 thrashing by England in their five-match T20I series, which saw the opening fixture abandoned due to rain. This marked the team's very first T20I series or tournament loss in a span of three years.

Taking to social media to share his analysis of the team's struggles on foreign soil, Manjrekar pointed the finger at the domestic structure rather than individual failures.

"The easy thing would be is to hold players responsible for this overseas T20 setback. The right thing would be is to hold those responsible who have made IPL such, that it puts a heavy make up on Indian batters," Manjrekar wrote on X.

"Challenge is for the selectors to imagine Indian batters without the heavy IPL make up on & pick only those for India. A lot of T20 cricket will be overseas now. The home fun run is over." he added.

India got white-washed by both Ireland and England

Following the conclusion of the T20 matches, India will contest a three-match ODI series in England before heading out to Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series starting from July 23. Later in the year, the team is scheduled to tour New Zealand across October and November for a tour featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and a two-Test series.

The Indian Premier League has frequently faced scrutiny for rolling out batting-friendly surfaces that offer small help to the bowling unit. Analysts contend that shortened boundary ropes and flat wickets allows a high-risk batting style that changes a alot when exposed to the movement and swing found on foreign pitches.

Former wicketkeeper batter Parthiv Patel also recently blamed the IPL's 'Impact Player' rule for the all-rounder crisis. India is currently struggling to find a fast-bowling all-rounder after the injury to Hardik Pandya.

(With inputs from PTI)