Hardik Pandya Is Perfectly Capable Of Playing As A Pure Batter In The Team: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Hardik Pandya should have no problems fitting in the eleven as a pure batsman. Hardik Pandya is currently in Sri Lanka, where the Indian team is preparing to take on the hosts in three ODIs and as many T20Is. With Hardik Pandya not bowling as frequently at present, Sanjay Manjrekar sees him as more than capable as a pure batter.

Hardik Pandya has performed immensely well since returning to the national team in India’s tour of Australia last year. The 27-year old performed well in the three-match ODI series, followed by playing an integral role in the tourists winning the T20 series. Hardik also performed well at home against England, both with the bat and ball. But his shoulder and back injury has restricted his bowling, but Pandya could start bowling soon.

Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that Hardik Pandya proved in Australia that could play in the team as a pure batsman; hence, there is no doubt now. The 55-year old stated that if reports are true that he has begun bowling, it comes as an added advantage for India. Nevertheless, Manjrekar supports Pandya’s inclusion in the team as a pure batter.

“Hardik proved himself in Australia that he is perfectly capable of playing in the team as a pure batter, there is no doubt now that he can do that. I am also reading reports that he has started bowling as well. His bowling, all the more-better for India. He has shown that he has the ability to walk into the team as a pure batter in white-ball cricket,” Manjrekar said in a virtual interaction.

The T20 World Cup squad is almost finalised: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar further claimed that India has finalized their T20 World Cup squad and unlike the 2019 World Cup, the men in blue has all the answers. The 37-Test veteran expects India to put in the park their strongest T20 XI; hence, he believes the squad has fine-tuned nicely.

“The T20 World Cup squad is almost finalised. India’s T20 cricket is in a very healthy space, so it is not like the 2019 World Cup, where till the end we didn’t find our number four. This T20 team, that India will put up, will be one of the strongest India has ever put up in a T20 format, so I think most of the players are already pencilled in,” he added.

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