IPL 2021: Ashish Nehra Explains Why Manish Pandey Has Been An Inconsistent Member Of Team India

Former India pacer, Ashish Nehra opines that Manish Pandey’s inability to quickly adapt to the game situation, and thrive under pressure is the key reason that he has not been a regular pick of the national side.

The Karnataka batsman has come under heavy scrutiny and criticism for his recent couple of knocks for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2021. Against the Kolkata Knight Riders, Pandey remained unbeaten on 61 off 44, and versus the Royal Challengers Bangalore he got out for 38 from 39 – SRH loss both the chases by 10 runs and 6 runs.

The right-hander failed to capitalize on his start and the time he settled in and wasn’t able to take his side over the finish line. He couldn’t up the ante against KKR while threw his wicket away against RCB.

Ashish Nehra points out that players like Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav are all but confirmed to be part of the Indian team in the future games – and for the T20 World Cup as well – and Ishan Kishan is in the fray too. On the other hand, Pandey, who made his India debut in 2015, and never been a first-choice starter and remained on the fringes, because he couldn’t deliver under pressure.

“This is the reason Manish Pandey has been in and out of the Indian team. If you see how long ago he made his debut and players like Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav have gone way ahead of him.

“This is because their game is different and also they adapt and survive in pressure situations a lot better than him. That’s why Manish Pandey has been left behind,” Ashish Nehra explained while speaking with Cricbuzz.

It seemed like tailenders have given away their wickets: Ashish Nehra

Speaking about SRH’s loss on Wednesday to RCB, the 41-year-old couldn’t believe that three proper batsmen in Jonny Bairstow, Manish Pandey, and Abdul Samad threw away their wicket slogging wildly against the turn of Shahbaz Ahmed.

Ashish Nehra says that those ugly hoicks, across the line, are mostly played by the tailenders, and it was disappointing to see three quality batters throwing away their wicket in a single over. David Warner’s side has now lost its first two games, and won’t be too confident either while taking on the Mumbai Indians on Saturday.

“Virat Kohli brought the left-arm spinner at the right moment. But you see how all three batsmen got out. It never felt like Jonny Bairstow, Abdul Samad and Manish Pandey have got out but it seemed like tailenders have given away their wickets.

“When tailenders play against the turning ball, they only see mid-wicket and long-on but good players who can handle pressure also play towards mid-off and covers,” the 2011 World Cup winning seamer added.

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