Sanjay Manjrekar Reacts To Yashasvi Jaiswal Selection Debate Involving Agarkar

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned the national selection committee’s decision to leave Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the ODI squad, while continuing to back Rohit Sharma as part of India’s white-ball setup, triggering a debate over long-term planning ahead of future ICC tournaments. Manjrekar, speaking on Sportstar’s ‘Inside Edge’ podcast, expressed surprise at the omission of 24-year-old Jaiswal, especially after his recent unbeaten 116 in a previous appearance.

He argued that a young batter in strong form and entering his prime years should not be overlooked in favour of senior players whose form and fitness have been under scrutiny. The discussion comes in the backdrop of the selection committee led by chairman Ajit Agarkar finalising India’s ODI squad for an upcoming three-match series, where Jaiswal was notably absent despite his recent performances.

Manjrekar questioned the rationale behind the decision-making process and asked what long-term vision was being followed. He specifically highlighted the continued inclusion of senior opener Rohit Sharma in India’s ODI setup, arguing that the balance between experience and youth needed clearer justification. According to him, if the selectors were making compromises due to experience or leadership considerations, then they should communicate the reasoning transparently to younger players like Jaiswal.

Also Read: Agarkar Says No Clarity On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Debut, Cites Jaiswal

Manjrekar went further, stating that the selectors should apologise to Jaiswal for the omission if the decision was not based purely on performance or future planning. He described Jaiswal as a player with significant potential, already proven in Test cricket, and suggested that consistent exposure in ODIs would be crucial for his development.

He also questioned India’s broader white-ball roadmap, asking whether senior players like Rohit would still form the core of the ODI side in the 2027 cycle, or whether emerging players such as Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan should be prioritised instead. The comments reflect ongoing debates within Indian cricket about transition planning between established veterans and the next generation. As things stand, Rohit Sharma and captain Shubman Gill are expected to continue as India’s opening pair in ODIs, while Jaiswal’s exclusion is likely to remain a talking point as the team builds towards future global tournaments.

Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal Reflects On Captaincy Debut In IPL 2026 With Simple Statement