Five Years After 'Bits And Pieces' Controversy, Sanjay Manjrekar Calls Ravindra Jadeja His 'Favourite Cricketer'

India are currently taking on New Zealand in the final test of the three-match series at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This is a must-win game for India, as after already losing the series, they need a victory to avoid a series whitewash. On Day 1 of the match, it was Ravindra Jadeja who stole the show with a five-wicket haul as New Zealand were bundled out for just 235. In fact, his performance forced one of his harshest critics Sanjay Manjrekar to change his opinion

Sanjay Manjrekar Calls Ravindra Jadeja His Favourite CricketerRavindra Jadeja was the one who broke the big 87-run partnership when he took the wicket of Will Young, and then went on to claim four more wickets of Tom Blundell, Glenn Philips, Ish Sodhi and Matt Henry. He was the one who facilitated the big batting collapse of the visiting team. This was a return to form for the star all-rounder, as he surpassed Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan to become the fifth-highest wicket-taker in Test for India.In a post on his X account, former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said that he was over the moon for one of his favourite cricketers Ravindra Jadeja for his his five-wicket haul. "Over the moon for my favourite cricketer, Jadeja. A fifer! He needed that! And so did the team," Manjrekar wrote.

Over the moon for my favourite cricketer, Jadeja. ☺️
A fifer! He needed that! And so did the team. 👏👏👏

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 1, 2024

This comes five years after Manjrekar infamously criticized Ravindra Jadeja for being a 'bits and pieces player'. He recieved backlash for this comment, even from Jadeja himself, who termed his criticism as 'verbal diarrhoea'. India Bundle New Zealand Out, Suffer Mini Batting Collapse On Day 1Ravindra Jadeja took five wickets for India, with Washington Sundar claiming four scalps, as New Zealand were all out for 235. Will Young and Daryll Mitchell impressed with the bat with half-centuries.India ended Day 1 on 78/4, with Shubman Gill batting on 31 and Rishabh Pant on 1. They suffered a mini collapse losing 3 wickets in a space of two overs at the end of day's play.