Spinners may play a major role in IPL 7, says Manjrekar

Spinners may play a major role in the seventh edition of Indian Premier League with the first leg of tournament, which will be staged in the United Arab Emirates, expected to have 'typical sub-continent' wickets, according to cricketer-turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar.

- IPL 2014 Schedule

"Spinners may have a major role to play. It will be a typical sub-continent wicket. I was there in the under-19 World Cup and saw that the pitch had bit of a bounce. So one has to wait and see how the surfaces turn out. As Sharjah might be different from Dubai and Abu Dhabi it will have a different pitch," Sanjay said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

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The cash-rich T20 league was shifted to South Africa in 2009 and this year the first leg of the tournament from April 16 and 30 will be held in UAE due to general elections in India. Manjrekar also believes that IPL will always be high on the popularity chart no matter where it is staged.

- IPL 2014 Schedule

"IPL is a product that is quite unique. It is a tournament that has witnessed all challenges. When it went to South Africa, it was a big hit. And UAE is closer to home, so I don't see this as a major issue. The viewers will certainly embrace IPL as they have always done against all odds," said the former India batsman.

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This year, the teams have left nothing to chance.

If Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in renowned adventurer and explorer Mike Horn then Rajasthan Royals have mental condition expert Paddy Upton as their head coach. However, according to Manjrekar cricket is a captain's sport and the support staff is only there to help.

- IPL 2014 Schedule

"The coaches and support staff do play a role in T20 cricket but only marginally. Because there is a lot of discussion in T20 cricket, inputs come from the outside. But cricket is a sport where captains call the shots and the support staff have a limited influence," said Manjrekar.

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Senior pros like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh are looking to make IPL their comeback vehicle and Manjrekar says this is the right platform to get noticed by the selectors.

- IPL 2014 Schedule

"Yes, IPL is a comeback vehicle. Because of the high-profile nature people who are looking to make a comeback to get noticed if they perform. What the tournament does is that it tells the selectors that the guy is in a good nick. So you would not probably pick IPL performers for Test matches but the selectors do consider a player for limited-overs," concluded Manjrekar.

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