'Hope & Pray They Play Like MS Dhoni Used To': Sanjay Manjrekar

image-llriysf3MS Dhoni was known for his calm approach in knockout games (Twitter)

Former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar has weighed in on the Indian team's preparations for the upcoming World Cup 2023. Drawing parallels from the past, Manjrekar suggested that the current squad must imbibe the simple and unruffled approach that former captain, MS Dhoni brought to knockout matches.


Manjrekar advises Team India to adopt Dhoni' approach to ICC knockouts

India celebrated a World Cup victory in 2011 under Dhoni's captaincy when the tournament was played at home. However, their hunt for an ICC trophy has been elusive since clinching the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Rohit Sharma, who is slated to take the helm during World Cup 2023, will first lead India during the Asia Cup 2023 which will commence in four days.

During a recent segment on Star Sports/ESPN Cricinfo’s 'Selection Day Live', Manjrekar dug into India's prospects at World Cup 2023 while also reflecting on India’s squad composition.

He pointed out that while making it to the semi-finals in ICC events hasn’t been a major challenge for the Men in Blue, handling the intensity of the crucial knockout games has been their vulnerable spot. 


“For India, in the ICC events, it’s not about getting through to semis. India’s problem has been the big night. I just hope and pray, with the kind of talent that they have, that they just play like Mahendra Singh Dhoni used to play a semi-final or a World Cup final, like it was any other game. That’s the only challenge for India considering their record in the big tournaments,” said Manjrekar.

Lauding the selection panel, Manjrekar further remarked that the chosen squad for the Asia Cup closely mirrors what one might expect for the World Cup. He hinted that a few changes might be on the horizon and that some players should be ready to face heightened scrutiny during the Asia Cup.

However, overall, the erstwhile cricketer was optimistic about the team's composition as he highlighted that the real test lies in those all-important "big nights."

“Well done (to the selectors). This is a very good squad and is very close to the World Cup squad. I think couple of players would be omitted, and we know who the fringe players are, who are likely to be under some pressure during the Asia Cup. It’s now just about the big nights,” concluded the 58-year-old.