“Icon culture” is the reason behind Team India’s “generational slump” in Tests: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has revealed the reason behind India’s poor form in Test cricket of late. In a Hindustan Times column, Manjrekar wrote that hero worship of Indian cricketers is the main reason behind Team India’s generational slump in the red-ball format.

Manjarekar also stated that Team India faced a similar form in 2011-12 after losing to England and Australia by 0-8 under MS Dhoni. Notably currently India also lost two consecutive Test series against New Zealand at home and Australia away from home under Rohit Sharma.

"India are a sought-after cricket team that the world wants to eagerly host. They play a lot of matches in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, so it is fair to be judged to the highest standards. This ‘generational slump’ is inevitable for all teams. It’s what we know as the transition phase and among the best teams in the world, I believe it affects India the most," Manjrekar wrote in his column to Hindustan Times.

"The one foremost reason behind this is the icon culture we have in India and the hero worship of certain players. Be it 2011-12 or now, it’s the same scenario that gets played out -- iconic players featuring prominently doing the opposite of what they did their entire careers, thereby dragging the team down with their diminished performances," he stated.

Sanjay Manjrekar compares previous transition period with the current one

Furthermore, Sanjay Manjrejar also asserted that Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman also failed in the 2011-12 period and compared their form to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who couldn’t create an impact in the previous two series.

"When India lost 0-8 to England and Australia, Tendulkar averaged 35, Sehwag 19.91 and Laxman 21.06. Only Dravid stood out and got runs in England (he averaged 76.83) but in Australia he too was given a harsh reality check (he averaged 24.25)," Manjrekar asserted.

"Thing is, when it comes to the big players, we as a country are just not able to stay rational. Emotions run high and those in positions to take decisions on these players are influenced by this climate. Cricketing logic goes out of the window and then the selectors hope the player leaves on his own so that they don’t look like the villains who brutally ended the career of a great who millions of fans worship. They just fear the backlash," Manjrekar concluded.

For more updates and betting opportunities, visit BetBarter.