India wrapped up their first-ever day-night Test with the 'pink ball' against Bangladesh in barely three days on Sunday. But on Twitter, the commanding performance of Virat Kohli's men was booted to second place as netizens expressed outrage over an on-air exchange on Star Sports between match commentators Harsha Bhogle and Sanjay Manjrekar.
On Sunday evening, #Harsha was among the top 10 trends on Twitter in India for several hours, with #SanjayManjrekar also figuring in the list. Twitter users were peeved at Sanjay Manjrekar for allegedly 'insulting' Bhogle during a disagreement over players' perception of using the pink ball. Two Bangladesh batsmen had to call for concussion substitutes on the first day of the Kolkata Test after taking blows on the head from the pink ball.
Bhogle sought that a "postmortem" be done for the game, as "visibility of the [pink] ball will be a big factor against the white sight screen".
Manjrekar retorted, saying he did not "think visibility is an issue at all", referring to slip catches taken in the match. Manjrekar felt the texture of the ball was the issue.
Bhogle argued it was necessary to seek the opinions of players who had played using the pink ball. To this, Manjrekar said, "For us who have played the game, we get a fair idea about what is happening out there," apparently alluding to his extensive first class and international experience as a cricketer.
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Manjrekar reaffirmed that visibility of the pink ball was not an issue, emphasising, "I say this with some authority" as he had "10-15 years of first class cricket" and the texture of the ball used in those matches was similar to the pink ball. While the argument between Manjrekar and Bhogle ended with them agreeing to disagree, Twitter users were incensed at Manjrekar, with many seeking an apology from him.
During the World Cup this year in England, Manjrekar had to face heavy flak from Indian fans for describing all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a "bits and pieces" cricketer.
Manjrekar was also trolled for tweeting that wicket-keeper batsman M.S. Dhoni was scoring too slowly against spin in the World Cup.
