“Indian Test batters have become like an NRI” - Ex-Indian cricketer slams Indian Test batters after whitewash to South Africa

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has reckoned that the Indian batters become NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) once they make it to the Indian Test cricket team, due to the number of games they play overseas.

Speaking on his Instagram handle, Manjrekar asserted that the Indian team, of late, plays too many games overseas, but very few games at home in Test cricket. While all the Indian Test cricketers have good records behind them, they are like NRIs, like strangers at home.

"When an Indian batter scores heavily in domestic cricket and gets selected for India, he becomes like an NRI, in the sense that he hardly plays at home. It's more overseas cricket for Indian batters," said Manjrekar in a post on his Instagram account.

"Looking at numbers, people like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant have played anything between nine to 12 Test matches away from home the last two years. In India, not as many,” he added.

"When they do play Tests at home, there are hardly any first-class matches that they've played. So they come very poorly trained, without any recent experience on those kinds of pitches," he stated.

"They're all class players with good records behind them, but like NRIs, like strangers at home. Countries like England and Australia are desperate to have India coming and playing in their own country because of the revenue they generate from the Indian team. That is a fact," he noted.

Notably, India suffered defeats in five of their last seven Tests at home after being whitewashed by New Zealand by 0-3 last year and by 0-2 to South Africa in November 2025. However, India will not play a Test until August 2026.

"Power does not work on turning tracks. On fast, bouncy pitches, 'stand and deliver' can get you some success. No chance against spin. Subtle skills are the only thing a batter must have to survive and excel on a turning pitch against good spinners," he concluded.

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