During the ongoing Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a significant incident involving Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run-out has sparked a heated debate between former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Irfan Pathan on live television.
The mix-up occurred during a promising partnership of 102 runs between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, which was abruptly halted due to miscommunication on a run attempt.
The Incident
Jaiswal hit the ball crisply to mid-on, but as he called for a run, Kohli hesitated, seemingly more focused on the ball than his partner’s call.
This led to Jaiswal being run out at the non-striker’s end, raising questions about who was at fault for the unfortunate dismissal.
Manjrekar argued that Kohli should have taken the single since Jaiswal was running towards the danger end, labeling Kohli’s decision not to respond as a “schoolboy error.”
He emphasized that the non-striker must maintain awareness of their partner’s intentions and not be distracted by the ball.
The Heated Debate
Irfan Pathan countered Manjrekar’s assertions by suggesting that Kohli’s hesitation was justified given the speed at which the ball was hit towards Pat Cummins.
He maintained that as a non-striker, Kohli had every right to decline the run if he felt it was too risky. The debate escalated with both commentators speaking over each other, leading to moments of frustration.
Manjrekar expressed his irritation, stating, “If you don’t want to let me talk, it’s alright,” highlighting the tension between their differing viewpoints.
Manjrekar further criticized Kohli for his apparent failure to hear Jaiswal’s call, arguing that Kohli clearly saw his partner running and should have taken responsibility for the situation.
On the other hand, Pathan insisted that it is ultimately up to the striker to make a call on whether to take a run or not.
The argument between Manjrekar and Pathan encapsulates the complexities of communication in cricket and the fine line between responsibility and blame in run-out situations.
