The cricketer turned TV commentator says tampering can be done without being caught on cameras shooting the on-field action.
MUMBAI: Cricketer turned TV commentator Sanjay Manjrekar says tampering of a cricket ball can be done without being caught on any of the numerous television cameras shooting the on-field action.
"I don't agree that no ball tampering can take place with so many TV cameras focusing on the match. It's still possible," the former Indian Test star said during a panel discussion on Thursday.
"A cricketer will immediately realise with one look at a ball whether it has been tampered with," he said when the discussion veered around to the controversial Oval Test between England and Pakistan which resulted in cricket's first-ever forfeiture.
However, Manjrekar clarified that his comments should not be mixed with the Oval Test.
"I don't say that had happened in the Oval match. There were two mistakes which led to the sorry ending. Number one was Hair's action. He's a fine umpire who is a bit robotic in his approach to the laws of the game. He could have handled the situation in a better way," he said.
"The other mistake was committed by Pakistan. Inzamam should have been pulled out of the dressing room by the administrative manager of the team and if he was still reluctant, vice captain Younis Khan should have been told to lead out the team," the former batsman said.
"It nearly happened to Sunil Gavaskar in Australia but we had a fantastic manager in Wing Commander Durrani who prevented Chetan Chauhan from leaving the field along with Gavaskar," Manjrekar recalled.
"Inzy of late has got into these situations and must be feeling all the umpires are against him," Manjrekar added.
Talking about India's chances in the ICC Champions Trophy, the main topic of the panel discussion jointly organised by Set Max and The Press Club of Mumbai, Manjrekar felt the hosts were firm favourites to lift the title.
"India are a fine one-day team at home and their record in India is very good. I genuinely believe they are the number one side in the tournament with crowd support and conditions to back them," the former Mumbai captain said.
Manjrekar, however, felt that demoting Virender Sehwag down the order after his fine display in the last one-day series in the West Indies, would demoralise the flamboyant Delhi player a bit.
"Virender Sehwag should open the innings with Sachin Tendulkar. He made a couple of 90s in the West Indies and made ninety five in his last ODI in the West Indies. He will feel a bit let down if he's asked to play down the order."
India had opened with Tendulkar, back in the team after a long lay off following a shoulder injury, and captain Rahul Dravid in the first ODI against Sri Lanka which was washed out after a few overs. Later, the entire tournament got cancelled because of inclement weather.
Manjrekar agreed with another ex-Mumbai skipper Milind Rege, who spoke before him, that former India captain Sourav Ganguly does not merit selection in the team at present.
"He does not fit in now. It's very difficult to select him in the 15-member team for Malaysia. Who do you drop to accommodate Ganguly? There's no point in saying he's scored over ten thousand runs in ODIs when his recent form is not good. When you try to make a comeback you have to score heavily like VVS Laxman did earlier," he added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}