'You're from Mumbai, that's why...' - K Srikkanth gives scathing reply to Sanjay Manjrekar over ODI World Cup team selection

Sanjay Manjrekar & K Srikkanth (Image credit: Twitter)

Following the completion of their franchisee duties for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season, Indian players will have to gear up for two major world events: the Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup. India will face Australia in the WTC final in June at the Oval. After a heartbreaking exit from the T20 World Cup in 2022, the Men in Blue will aim to become the 50-over champions when the tournament is held at home in October-November.

Prior to the marquee event, India began their preparations by winning bilateral series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand and suffering a disappointing 1-2 defeat to Australia. Choosing the best 11 players has become more difficult for the selectors as a result of injuries to key players and poor performances by some. Jasprit Bumrah, India's top pacer, will be unavailable due to a back injury, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will also be missing as he recovers from injuries sustained in a car accident last year.

India's middle order batter Shreyas Iyer is set to miss the Test championship final, but the management is optimistic that the 28-year-old will be recovered in time for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, who is likely to replace Iyer, had a nightmare series against Aussies, giving the selectors yet another reason to scratch their heads.

K Srikkanth picks SKY in his team for ODI WC

However, when asked to pick his best XI for the 2023 World Cup while commentating for the IPL, former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth didn't have to think too hard and named his players right away.

“Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, number four I'll still pick Suryakumar Yadav. KL Rahul could be fifth, Hardik Pandya sixth. Ravindra Jadeja at 7, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj,” Srikkanth said.

Former right-handed batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who was also in the commentary box, wasn't impressed with Srikkanth's selection and suggested that all-rounder Shardul Thakur be included in the squad.

However, Srikkanth stunned Manjrekar by saying, “Not Shardul, Arshdeep could be there. Shardul can take wickets, but he can also concede 12 runs in an over. You're from Mumbai, that's why you're naming Shardul!”