Once again, cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar is once again on the receiving end of criticism for his comments on an Indian cricketer. Former India pacer Vinay Kumar hit back at Manjrekar for saying that he used to bowl at 120kmph speed in domestic cricket and used to get wickets because of grass on the pitch.
"But I think that's gone, but what it also did was medium pacers like the Vinay Kumars, with no disrespect to him, were topping the wicket-taking charts because all they needed to do with grass on the pitch was put the ball at 120 kmph in the right area, and they got wicket," Manjrekar said while commentating during the ongoing first Test between India and Australia at Perth Stadium.
Vinay reminded Manjrekar that he is the first Indian pacer to take 100 IPL wickets. He took a dig at Manjrekar asking him to check his speed gun to measure the bowlers' pace.
"Sanjay bhai with due respect, your speed gun requires urgent servicing," he wrote on X.
"120KMPH. Seriously? With God’s grace I take pride in my achievements, I am contented, satisfied and happy with my life."
"Medium pacer like Vinay Kumar has worked really hard to become the 1st Indian fast bowler to take 100 IPL wickets also played for the country in all the formats. I take pride in my bowling. Anyways best wishes and regards," he added.
The 40-year-old Vinay has played one Test, 31 ODIs and nine T20Is. He has represented four IPL franchises and taken 105 wickets from as many games.
Manjrekar's recent comments that caused controversy
Recently, another Indian pacer, Mohammed Shami lashed out at Manjrekar for predicting that he will go for a low price in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ended up proving Manjrekar wrong when they roped him in for Rs 10 crore on November 24.
Manjrekar also criticised India head coach Gautam Gambhir. He does not want Gambhir to address the media and wants the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to send skipper Rohit Sharma or chief selector Ajit Agarkar instead.
