New Delhi: Sportswear giants Puma brutally trolled former India cricketer and popular commentator Sanjay Manjrekar over his criticism of India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Puma Cricket’s official handle came up with a befitting reply to shut down Manjrekar after Reddy slammed his maiden century for India on Day 3 of the ongoing 4th Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Despite his great form with the bat, there were questions raised over Reddy’s selection in India’s playing XI for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG owing to the team combination. Many, including Manjrekar, felt India should drop Reddy to play a specialist bowler and head into the Test match with only two all-rounders.
Speaking about the team’s combination ahead of the Melbourne Test, Manjrekar said it was too early to consider Reddy an all-rounder while questioning his place in the XI. Manjrekar argued if Reddy was someone who could score a century for India batting at 8 and that he should not be playing in the XI as an all-rounder without contributing much with the ball.
“There is no doubting the potential he has and how good he has played. But, can we get 120 from somebody who bats at no. 8. He is clearly not a bowler who can get you a seven-wicket haul like Shardul Thakur. Is he, at this stage good enough to be pushed up the order and played as pure batter by dropping someone out of form? Then you can add an extra bowler. His bowling is not good enough to play him as a bowling all-rounder. It is too early to consider him as a batting all-rounder,” Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo.
Soon after Reddy smashed his maiden Test ton at the MCG, Puma Cricket’s official handle responded to Manjrekar’s video. They shared a picture of Reddy gesturing with a finger on his lips to troll the popular commentator. For the unversed, Reddy is sponsored by Puma. Puma’s tweet soon went viral, creating a buzz among the fans.
https://t.co/JlrL7DXTFf pic.twitter.com/MhCQ0ZBc7L
— PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) December 28, 2024
Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar lead India’s fightback in 4th Test
Reddy and Sundar led India’s fightback after a poor start from the visitors on Day 3. Resuming their innings fro, 164/5 on Day 3, India lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja cheaply before Reddy and Sundar joined hands to rescue India’s sinking ship with a brilliant partnership for the 8th wicket. The duo combined to add 127 runs – a record 8th wicket partnership for India in Australia in Tests.
Their 127-run stand helped India comfortably go past the follow-on mark of 275 runs before breaching the 350-run mark. Thanks to Reddy’s ton, India finished with 358/9 at stumps on Day 3, trailing Australia by 116 runs. Reddy will be hopeful of adding at least 20-30 runs more to his tally on Day 4 to ensure Australia’s lead is further reduced before they start their second innings.
Sportswear giants Puma took a brutal dig at former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar over his criticism of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy after the 21-year-old’s heroics for India at the MCG on Saturday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
