Former cricketer and popular commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has once again found himself in the middle of controversy during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. While commentating during the India vs. New Zealand match, Manjrekar made an unexpected error that sparked outrage on social media.
As the camera panned to the Indian women’s team dugout, it showed head coach Amol Majumdar and fielding coach Munish Bali conversing. Manjrekar, however, failed to recognize Munish Bali and openly admitted it on air. He said, “I am sorry, I did not recognize him. I don’t pay much attention to players from the North.”
This comment quickly ignited a storm on social media, with fans accusing Manjrekar of being biased toward players from Mumbai, which led to widespread criticism. Fans also slammed him for not being knowledgeable about someone as prominent as Munish Bali in Indian cricket.
Who is Munish Bali?
For those unfamiliar with Munish Bali, he is a highly experienced coach in the Indian cricket circuit. Bali has coached various age-group teams in Punjab and was an assistant coach for the Indian team that won the U-19 World Cup in 2008. That team included future cricket stars like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Manish Pandey.
Bali also worked alongside VVS Laxman during India’s tours of Ireland and New Zealand and is currently the fielding coach for the Indian women’s cricket team. Given his extensive coaching career, many fans were shocked that Manjrekar, who has a deep connection with cricket commentary, failed to recognize such a figure.
Fans React on Social Media
The backlash against Manjrekar’s comment was swift and harsh. Many cricket fans accused him of promoting a Mumbai-centric bias and ignoring talent from other regions, particularly North India. Some even questioned how a senior commentator could overlook a well-known name in the Indian coaching staff.
As the online criticism continues, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and recognition in Indian cricket, especially among figures who play vital roles behind the scenes.
