Manchester: The journey of Team India in the World Cup 2019 came to an end after a nail-biting encounter New Zealand in Manchester on Thursday. Though Virat Kohli & Co. could not manage to continue their winning streak and had to face a defeat in the crucial knock-out round, but the fighting spirit of Men In Blue certainly won hearts of fans and cricketing pundits alike. Even staunch critics supported Team India and praised them for their remarkable World Cup journey. Top in the list was former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. The former batsman has been viral on social media for his tweets and statements against some Indian players including Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni.


However, after yesterday's performance, even Manjrekar had no other choice but to laud their performance. He said that he was 'ripped apart on all fronts' by 'bits and pieces' of Jadeja's brilliance which brought India within sniffing distance of a win in their World Cup semifinal against against the Kiwis. Manjrekar, who drew flak for calling Jadeja a "bits and pieces cricketer", admitted that the all-rounder proved him completely wrong with the bat, ball and his fielding at Old Trafford.

The ICC posted a video in which Manjrekar is having a conversation with Niall O'Brien and Ian Smith. "By bits 'n' pieces of sheer brilliance, he's ripped me apart on all fronts. This is the Jadeja we haven't seen before. Today (Wednesday) he was brilliant," Manjrekar said in the video.


Reeling at 3 for five and then four for 24 in pursuit of 240, Jadeja played a fine counter-attacking 77 off 56 balls to raise hopes of an improbable India win, his performance also acting as a response to Manjrekar's critical remark. "I have to apologise to him (Ravindra Jadeja), he was looking for me but I wasn't there. I was in the lounge taking my lunch, I'm sorry," Manjrekar said.

Jadeja came out to bat when India was in a spot of bother at 92/6. He steadied the innings along with Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the duo stitched together a partnership of 116-runs. The left-hander was finally dismissed by Trent Boult in the 48th over. Jadeja hit four fours and four sixes in his innings.

A few days ago, the Saurashtra all-rounder had said "learn to respect people" while replying to Manjrekar's remark that he was not a big fan of "bits and pieces players" like Jadeja. "Still I have played twice the number of matches you have played and I m still playing. Learn to respect ppl who have achieved.i have heard enough of your verbal diarrhoea. @sanjaymanjrekar," Jadeja had tweeted.

Even former England skipper Michael Vaughan criticised Manjrekar for underestimating the potential of Jadeja. Taking a pot shot at former Indian batsman after Jadeja's sensation knock in the semi final against New Zealand, Vaughan tweeted, "BITS for Bowling .. & for Fielding .. PIECES for Batting .. All in All the ingredients for a bloody good Cricketer .. !!!". He further wrote that if only India had a couple more bits and pieces cricketers.