Former Indian cricketer and commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, believes that the burden of captaincy has affected the form of the Indian stars in the ongoing IPL 2022.
He also pointed out a few names, the likes of Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson, who have been doing a great job as captains, but as players, their form has dipped as the IPL 2022 progressed.
While Rajasthan Royals are in line to make it to the IPL 15 playoffs under Samson, Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans have already made it to the top four. Apart from the duo, Punjab Kings’ captain Mayank Agarwal has the same story, but his franchise is also struggling, like the skipper.
As reported by Hindustan Times, Sanjay Manjrekar stated: “We have seen a lot of gambling happening with captains in the IPL. It has been given to people you wouldn't expect. Sanju Samson as captain of Rajasthan Royals, who would have expected that. Mayank Agarwal, when the auctions were happening, we were wondering are they going to be making him the captain? Because when you see certain players and you wonder they have the leadership capabilities.”
He felt said that Agarwal may have made it difficult for himself as a batter by scarifying the opening spot for Jonny Bairstow, as the PBKS skipper has scored just 195 runs at a strike rate of 125.00 this season.
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Manjrekar further explained, “Some people surprise you, Shreyas Iyer got it out of nowhere but he looks the part. Hardik Pandya was a big gamble and he has done pretty well. Yes, I think it is weighing down on him. We have seen enough to know that maybe he has just taken that responsibility too much.”
He concluded, “The sacrifices is one example of him taking the captaincy very seriously. Now, in hindsight, Shikhar Dhawan would have been an easier choice. Mayank at the top of the order almost always struck quicker and better than KL Rahul at the top of the order so they have lost that batter in the process.”
