Former Indian player and commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, has proclaimed the present team led by Rohit Sharma as the finest in the country’s history. He underscored that the team showcases a unique blend of top-notch talent in batting, bowling, and fielding aspects. He commended the Indian bowling unit, stating that it is unequivocally the best ODI bowling lineup ever.
Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, the team maintained an undefeated record during the league stage of the ICC World Cup 2023, triumphing in all nine matches. The home team secured a spot in the final by defeating New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semi-final match in Wankhede, Mumbai. It would be fascinating to see if India employs a comparable strategy in the World Cup 2023 Final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India’s Current Fab Five- Sanjay Manjrekar
In a video posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) by Start Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar underscored the historical milestones of Indian cricket. He referred to the “two little Masters” in the 70s and 80s and the “Fab 4” in the late 90s and 2000s as significant phases in the evolution of Indian cricket.
“Historically, Indian cricket has always had various stages. We had two little Masters in the ’70s and ’80s, then we had the Fab 4 in the late ’90s and 2000s. Now, we’ve got Fab Four, if not Fab Five, in the bowling department, along with Fab Four in the batting department. So, that is where India has been different, where there is further sheer quality in batting and bowling, which has rarely happened in the history of Indian cricket,” Majrekar told Star Sports.
The Indian batsmen and bowlers showcased exceptional performance in the tournament. Virat Kohli amassed 711 runs, Rohit Sharma secured 550 runs, and Shreyas Iyer scored an impressive 526 runs, all surpassing the 500-run mark. On the bowling front, Mohammed Shami took 23 wickets, Jasprit Bumrah claimed 18, and Ravindra Jadeja contributed with 16 wickets.
Gulf between India and the rest is more pronounced- Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar emphasized the upward trajectory of India’s performance, noting a rise in their graph compared to a decline in the graphs of other major teams. This widening gap sets India apart from the rest, according to Manjrekar. The final match of the tournament is scheduled between the Rohit Sharma-led team and the Pat Cummins-led team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19, which is the world’s largest stadium.