The debate surrounding India‘s squad selection has intensified ahead of the high-profile One Day International (ODI) series against England. Former India batter and veteran commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has openly questioned the omission of the explosive young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Despite a sensational run of form in the 50-byte format, the left-hander found himself left out of the squad, sparking widespread debate about selection transparency.

For fans and analysts tracking India’s road to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, the squad announcement has raised vital questions. Jaiswal’s exclusion is being seen by many as a setback for structural transition, especially considering his immaculate conversion rate.

Sanjay Manjrekar criticises selectors for leaving Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the ODI squad against England

Speaking during an online interaction, Manjrekar did not hold back, labelling the decision to drop Jaiswal as harsh and unfortunate. The young Mumbaikar recently smashed an unbeaten 110 off just 86 balls against Afghanistan in Chennai, filling in seamlessly when senior players were rested. Yet, with standard heavyweights returning, Jaiswal was squeezed out.

“Yashasvi has scored two hundreds in his last three ODIs. He made 116 not out against South Africa, then after a gap, scored four and a hundred. Anyone opening in India’s strong ODI side will get opportunities, and Yashasvi has made the most of them,” Manjrekar pointed out during the discussion.

With Rohit Sharma retained to open alongside captain Shubman Gill, Jaiswal faces a lengthy wait on the sidelines. Manjrekar urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee to provide clarity on whether veteran stars like Rohit are being retained with a definitive roadmap for the 2027 World Cup. If not, he argues, those developmental slots must belong to the next generation.

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Manjrekar speaks on balancing of star power and long-term transition in modern cricket

The core of Manjrekar’s critique extended beyond Jaiswal, targeting a deeper, institutional pattern within Indian cricket selection. He expressed concerns that reputation often overrides current cricketing merit when it comes to high-profile icons.

“We all know the culture around big-name players. Decisions are rarely as simple as judging on cricketing merit alone. That seems to be the case with Rohit too,” he added. He emphasized that if senior players are retained simply because selectors hesitate to make tough calls, it exposes a historical flaw in the ecosystem.

As India balances immediate bilateral success against England with long-term squad depth, managing the transition phase remains critical. Manjrekar concluded with a firm reminder of what should dictate selection policies: “Selection should never be about what’s best for Virat, Rohit, or Bumrah. It should always be about what’s best for Indian cricket.”

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