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Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised a sharp critique of India’s cricketing culture, pointing to the country’s “hero worship” and “icon culture” as major reasons behind recurring slumps during team transitions. In his column for the Hindustan Times, Manjrekar analyzed how an inability to phase out iconic players has historically held India back, especially during critical periods of rebuilding.
Hero Worship and Its Consequences
Manjrekar attributed India’s current struggles—including back-to-back Test series losses to New Zealand (0-3) at home and Australia (1-3) away—to the persistence of an “icon culture” that often prioritizes legacy over performance. According to Manjrekar, the deference shown to iconic players often results in them staying in the team past their prime, leading to diminished performances that hurt the team’s overall progress.
“The one foremost reason behind this is the icon culture we have in India and the hero worship of certain players,” Manjrekar wrote. “Be it 2011-12 or now, it’s the same scenario that gets played out—iconic players featuring prominently doing the opposite of what they did their entire careers, thereby dragging the team down with their diminished performances.”
Historical Precedents
Manjrekar cited the 2011-12 season as an example of how India’s refusal to make tough decisions on aging players led to disastrous results. During that period, India suffered a humiliating 0-8 loss in overseas Tests against England and Australia. Legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, and Rahul Dravid struggled to replicate their past performances. Although Dravid scored four centuries against England, his performance in the subsequent Australia series was underwhelming.
This reluctance to phase out greats has led to situations where, according to Manjrekar, “cricketing logic goes out of the window,” and selectors hope players voluntarily retire to avoid public backlash.
Australia’s Approach: A Lesson in Pragmatism
Contrasting India’s approach, Manjrekar highlighted Australia’s ability to make rational, cricketing decisions. He pointed to instances where Australian selectors dropped established players like Ricky Ponting when their performances dipped. Even in the ongoing season, Australia replaced proven players like Nathan McSweeney and Mitchell Marsh with younger talents such as Sam Konstas and Beau Webster. These bold moves paid dividends, enhancing Australia’s chances of success.
“Nathan McSweeney was dropped to get Sam Konstas in. Mitchell Marsh was dropped to get Beau Webster. Both selections did wonders to Australia’s chances of winning the series,” Manjrekar explained, underscoring the importance of making performance-based decisions.
A Call for Tough Decisions in Indian Cricket
Manjrekar urged India’s current chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, to adopt a pragmatic approach in dealing with underperforming icon players. He raised the question of whether players like Rohit Sharma still possess the potential to compensate for their recent failures. While acknowledging the selectors’ likely awareness of the situation, he emphasized the difficulty of executing these decisions.
“For Mr. Ajit Agarkar to take a pure cricketing decision, no matter who the player is, we have to make his job easier,” Manjrekar wrote, signaling the need for a cultural shift in Indian cricket.
Breaking the Cycle
India’s persistent challenges during transition periods call for introspection and reform. The reverence for iconic players, while understandable, cannot overshadow the team’s collective needs. As Manjrekar’s observations suggest, India must prioritize performance and endurance over sentimentality to remain competitive on the global stage.
While respecting the legacies of its cricketing greats, India must also prepare for the future. Rational decision-making, as exemplified by teams like Australia, could provide a blueprint for smoother transitions and sustained success. The onus now lies on the selectors and the broader cricketing ecosystem to balance reverence with realism, ensuring that the team’s long-term interests remain paramount.
