Backlash Against Sanjay Manjrekar for Praising India Women’s Team After Narrow Loss to Australia in T20 World Cup
No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Australia set on such a tough pitch. I say, well done India! And again, what a star Harman is.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar found himself facing criticism after taking to social media to praise the India Women’s cricket team despite their defeat against Australia in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side needed a victory in their final Group A match to stay in contention for the knockout stages but narrowly lost by nine runs at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, putting their campaign in jeopardy.
Manjrekar, who is known for his vocal opinions, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) commending the team’s effort, writing, "No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Australia set on such a tough pitch. I say, well done India! And again, what a star Harman is!" While Manjrekar intended to highlight the team’s resilience, his comments were met with a wave of backlash from disappointed fans. Many expressed their frustration, criticizing Manjrekar for offering praise in the face of a crucial defeat, arguing that the team’s exit from the tournament deserved more scrutiny than encouragement.
Despite the uproar, Manjrekar stood by his words, defending his stance of recognizing the team’s effort against the defending champions, Australia. The incident highlights the fine line public figures often walk when commenting on sports performances, especially in emotionally charged moments.
