Sanjay Manjrekar calls IPL generation’s success in Test cricket 'a mystery'
On August 20, 2026, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar told viewers on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan that he is puzzled by how the generation raised on the Indian Premier League has managed to perform well in Test cricket. He described the phenomenon as a mystery given the differences between the formats.
Manjrekar compared the shift from T20 to the longest format to pop singers attempting classical music, saying players who grew up with T20 have nevertheless made the technical and mental adjustments required for red-ball cricket. He emphasised that the stark contrast between T20 and Test cricket makes the success of that generation more striking, particularly in batting.
"Modern pop singers, if they are asked to do classical singing, ragas, then it will be very difficult. But these people are doing that. It is a mystery to me that the generation of IPL, the generation of T20, how do they play such good Test cricket? In both game of ball and game of gain," Manjrekar said on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan.
On the subject of batting specifically, Manjrekar added: "More in case of batting, because there is a lot of difference between T20 batting and Test batting," highlighting the differing technical demands of the two formats.
The article notes T20 cricket typically requires an attacking approach from the outset, with batters expected to score quickly and take risks, while Test cricket demands patience, discipline and the ability to concentrate for long periods. The IPL has provided young Indian players regular exposure to high-pressure T20 cricket and opportunities to share dressing rooms with experienced international stars, which the piece says has helped them develop skills and confidence.
Despite those T20 influences, several players who came through the IPL have altered their approach to succeed in red-ball matches, curbing attacking instincts when required and spending extended periods at the crease. India's current Test squad includes several players who have come through the IPL and gained significant experience in T20 cricket, and their ability to switch between formats has become an important part of modern international cricket.