Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned the continued selection of Rohit Sharma for India's upcoming ODI series against England, arguing that team selection should be guided by the long-term interests of Indian cricket rather than the stature of individual players. His comments come amid growing debate over the opportunities available to younger players, particularly opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has delivered strong performances in limited opportunities at the international level.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors once again retained faith in Rohit for the England ODI series scheduled to begin next month. While acknowledging the veteran batter's experience and achievements, Manjrekar expressed sympathy for Jaiswal, who has impressed whenever he has been given a chance in the 50-over format. The left-handed opener has scored two centuries in his last three ODI appearances, including an unbeaten 110 against Afghanistan in the third ODI of that series.

Speaking to the Times of India, Manjrekar noted that Jaiswal had made the most of his opportunities despite not receiving an extended run in the side. He pointed out that the youngster also scored an unbeaten 116 against South Africa and has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level. According to Manjrekar, leaving out a player in such form appears unfortunate and somewhat harsh, particularly when he has delivered results whenever selected.

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Manjrekar said the rationale behind Rohit's continued selection should be clearly communicated if the veteran remains part of India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. He argued that Indian cricket has often struggled to separate selection decisions from the influence of high-profile names and stressed that decisions should be based on the team's future requirements. In his view, selectors must be prepared to make difficult choices if they believe younger players offer a better long-term option for the national side.

The former batter further stated that team selection should never revolve around what is best for established stars, regardless of their stature. Referring to senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, Manjrekar said the primary focus should always be what benefits Indian cricket as a whole. He suggested that if Rohit is being selected purely because decision-makers are reluctant to move on from a senior player, it reflects a long-standing issue within the system.

Manjrekar also commented on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, expressing confidence in the youngster's maturity ahead of India's tours of Ireland and England. Referring to a recent altercation involving Sooryavanshi during an India A match in Sri Lanka, Manjrekar said the 15-year-old appeared aware of the lessons learned from the incident and was likely to handle similar situations more effectively in the future. The remarks add to the ongoing discussion surrounding India's next generation of talent as selectors balance youth and experience ahead of major international tournaments.

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