If there is one phrase that has become infamously popular in the world cup 2019, it has to be the “bits and pieces” comment by the official commentator and former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar on Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Jadeja and Manjrekar got into a spat following the latter’s statement that he was not a big fan of “bits and pieces” player like the all-rounder. The statement had angered Jadeja, who did not hesitate in hitting back at his senior colleague, Manjrekar, saying, “enough of your verbal diarrhea”.
Jadeja had said, “Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved, I have heard enough of your verbal diarrhea. @sanjaymanjrekar.”
Now his opinion about all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja seemingly changed after India’s semi-final match against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester. Only a few days after criticizing Jadeja publicly, Manjrekar has accepted that the cricketer “ripped” him apart “on all fronts” by “bits and pieces of sheer brilliance”.
Change of heart for Sanjay Manjrekar after a brilliant performance by Jadeja in the semifinals
The change in the opinion came after Jadeja hit a brilliant 77 off 59 balls, comprising four 6s and four 4s and almost took India home. He was also the most economical bowler for India, conceding just 34 runs in 10 overs and claiming one wicket. Not only that he was also brilliant in the field by taking a stunning catch and run-out.
When asked about Jadeja’s impressive performance in all departments of the game, Manjrekar said, “Bits and by pieces, he just ripped me apart today, bits and by pieces of sheer brilliance he just proved me wrong on all fronts.”
However, he also added, “But this Ravindra Jadeja we don’t see very often. In the last 40 innings, the highest score has been around 33. Today he was brilliant, economical with the ball and that celebration!”. Perhaps trying to justify his earlier statement for Jadeja.
Watch the video of Sanjay saying how Jadeja proved him wrong
Jadeja Signalled towards commentator’s box after his fifty
When jokingly asked by fellow commentators that Jadeja was looking for him after his brilliant knock, Manjrekar quipped, “Forgive me I wasn’t there, I have to apologize, star of today looking for me and I wasn’t there. I was in the lounge eating my lunch, I am so sorry.”
In the semi-final match against New Zealand, Jadeja came out to bat when India was at 92/6. In the midst of falling wickets, he steadied the Indian innings along with former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The duo stitched together a partnership of 116 runs. The left-hander was finally dismissed by Trent Boult in the 48th over. However, his exploits were not enough as the Men in Blue lost by 18 runs and were knocked out of ICC World Cup 2019.
