Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has delivered a blunt verdict on India's T20I humiliation, saying the Indian Premier League (IPL) puts "heavy make-up" on batters that does not prepare them for overseas conditions. He declared that the "home fun run is over" for Indian batsmen.
India, the defending T20 world champions, suffered back-to-back series defeats on their tour. They first lost 0-2 to Ireland before being comprehensively beaten 4-0 by England. The results have sparked a fierce debate about the role of the IPL in preparing players for international cricket.
Manjrekar's 'Heavy Make-Up' Remark on IPL
According to India Today, Manjrekar argued that the blame should not fall solely on the players. He believes the structure and conditions of the IPL deserve closer scrutiny following India's recent failures.
Manjrekar pointed out that IPL matches are played on batting-friendly pitches, which give batters a false sense of security. When they travel abroad, they struggle to adapt to conditions that offer more help to bowlers.
"The home fun run is over. India's batters... IPL puts heavy make-up on Indian batters." — Sanjay Manjrekar, as quoted by News18
What Manjrekar Means by 'IPL Make-Up'
Manjrekar's "heavy make-up" analogy suggests that the IPL hides the real weaknesses of Indian batters. In the tournament, batters can score freely on flat pitches and small grounds. But when they face quality bowling on challenging overseas tracks, their flaws are exposed.
The former cricketer's comments come after India's batting lineup crumbled repeatedly against England and Ireland. The team failed to post competitive totals and looked out of depth in conditions that demanded adaptability and technique.
As reported by News18, Manjrekar's critique is part of a growing chorus that questions whether the IPL's entertainment-focused format is harming India's international prospects. The tournament prioritizes big hitting and high scores, but does not teach batters how to survive when conditions are tough.
Our Take: A Wake-Up Call Indian Cricket Needs
In our view, Sanjay Manjrekar has hit the nail on the head. The IPL is a fantastic product for entertainment and money, but it is not a school for international cricket. Indian batters have become masters of flat-track bullying, but they look lost when the ball moves or bounces awkwardly.
The "fun run" Manjrekar talks about is real. For years, Indian batters have feasted on IPL conditions and then struggled abroad. The selectors and the BCCI need to ask a hard question: Is the IPL helping or hurting India's national team?
To put it plainly, if India wants to remain a dominant force in T20 cricket, the system needs to change. Either the IPL must introduce more challenging conditions, or the national team selectors must pick players who can perform in all conditions — not just on IPL-friendly pitches.
