Sanjay Manjrekar He stirred the pot recently with his bold assertion that one of cricket's most iconic players, played for "Wrong privilege“During his illustrious tenure with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This statement ignited discussions about the impact of franchise dynamics on player performance and legacy.
Not next in RCB
Ab de Villiersoften referred to as “Mr. 360“For his remarkable ability to play shots across the ground, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of T20 cricket. However, Manjrekar's comments suggest that RCB may not be an ideal fit for de Villiers' immense talent. He opined that management and strategy at the Limited franchise, no Especially in T20 Cricket, where match-winning performances are crucial.
“AB was incredible. But the greatness of AB was that he averaged 50 in Tests. Even in one day (ODIS). So, he's a great player. But only if you look at T20 cricket; I've seen both a lot. AB, in IPL, was not used properly. His true ability. So, in IPL we didn't get much juice from him. Sure (fight higher). And sorry to say, but I played for the wrong franchise. If he had played elsewhere, we would have seen the greatness of AB de VilliersManjrekar said during a discussion on the sports star.
This criticism raises questions about RCB's approach to using star players effectively. Despite De Villiers' explosive potential and match-winning abilities, RCB have historically struggled to secure the IPL title, finishing as runners-up three times without claiming the trophy. De Villiers himself acknowledged RCB's weaknesses over the years, particularly in forming a consistent core of players – a strategy that has proven successful in franchises such as Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
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Legends Legacy beyond the headlines
While Manjrekar's assessment may hold some truth in terms of the franchise's strategy, it is crucial to acknowledge de Villiers' significant contributions to RCB during his tenure. He is the second highest scorer in franchise history, accumulating 4,522 runs from 2011-2021, only behind Virat Kohli. His great innings include Restless 129 Vs Gujarat Black In 2016, he displayed his ability to perform under pressure.
Moreover, de Villiers' legacy goes beyond mere statistics. His innovative batting style and ability to entertain fans made him a beloved figure in Indian cricket. Even after retiring from all formats in 2021, he declared himself “RCB-IIN for life,” emphasizing his emotional connection to the franchise and its supporters.
Sanjay Manjrekar greatness
The discussion raised by Manjrekar also included a comparison between De Villiers and the current T20 sensation Suryakumar Yadav. While Manjrekar Suryakumar placed just above De Villiers E Villiers in T20IS based on recent performances, he acknowledged that De Villiers is still superior in Tests and ODIs. This comparison highlights the evolution of T20 cricket and how different players excel in different formats.
