Sanjay Manjrekar’s reported advice for Tilak Varma ahead of the India–Pakistan Asian Games men’s cricket final was about batting position: he said he liked Varma at No. 5 or 6. The New Indian Express report does not substantiate the supplied headline’s phrase “show that you are unhappy,” so it should not be treated as a verified quote from Manjrekar.
What did Manjrekar say about Tilak Varma?
In comments reported by The New Indian Express on October 2, 2026, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said Varma was well suited to the middle order, particularly at No. 5 or 6.
“To be honest, whenever I’ve seen Tilak bat at the top of the order, he needs a little time to get going — he’s not someone who starts striking immediately. I really like him down at No 5 and 6.”
The remarks came in an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network. Manjrekar’s point was about where Varma could best contribute in a T20 innings, not advice to display unhappiness.
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Why did Manjrekar favor No. 5 or 6?
Manjrekar said Varma can take time to settle when opening or batting near the top. He saw a possible fit lower down, where Varma could enter later and take on a finishing role as the opposition’s bowlers face pressure near the end of the innings.
He also objected to the previous match’s batting order, saying Axar Patel and Shivam Dube had gone in ahead of Varma unfairly. That criticism of the deployment did not change his view that Varma could be effective at No. 5 or 6.
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How did Varma’s position change before the final?
India brought Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the lineup for the semifinal against Sri Lanka. The change pushed several batters down the order, and designated vice-captain Varma batted below Axar Patel. The preview described Varma as usually a top-four batter who had been moved around the order.
Was “show that you are unhappy” Manjrekar’s advice?
The New Indian Express preview does not contain that advice or establish it as Manjrekar’s wording. It reports his preference for Varma at No. 5 or 6 and his reasoning about Varma’s start at the top and potential finishing role. Without a separate attributable source or clip, the phrase should not be presented as a confirmed quote.
A separate Indian Express article from February 19, 2026 covered former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s criticism of Varma’s strike rate after a T20 World Cup innings against the Netherlands. Pathan’s comments concerned that innings and a possible batting-order adjustment; they were not Manjrekar’s comments about the Asian Games final.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When was the India–Pakistan final?
The Asian Games men’s cricket gold-medal match between India and Pakistan was scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026. The October 2 preview listed Sony Sports Network channels and Sony LIV as viewing options; availability and broadcast details may vary by market.
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