Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that Asia Cup is like a do-or-die situation for the middle-order batsman Manish Pandey. The Karnataka batsman has been included back in the Indian squad for the ongoing Asia cup. Although Pandey is in the squad for the ongoing tournament, there will be several players gunning for a spot in India’s playing XI for their tournament opener against Hong Kong, and subsequently against Pakistan. Apart from him, Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav have also been recalled in the squad for the middle-order positions.
Pandey’s performances for India ‘B’ in the recently concluded quadrangular-series helped him to get back to the Indian squad. But the last time he was seen donning an India jersey in an ODI was back in 2017, against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. His ODI career got off to a promising start after he scored 71 on debut against Zimbabwe.
Only in his third ODI, he scored a fabulous century while successfully chasing a 300-plus score against Australia in Sydney. However, he has amassed just 171 runs in his last 10 ODIs, while he averages just over 39 in his career and maintains a strike rate of 93.1.
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Manjrekar, who is an expert on ESPNCricinfo, said, “I am surprised that he was picked in this [Asia Cup] squad because, after that hundred in Australia, I was expecting him to carry that form and make his place permanent. Manish Pandey didn’t quite use that form and that confidence from the century. After that, I think he got some good games at home and I watched him get out playing some loose shots. Considering the kind of batting wealth we have, a candidate once backed, should be able to grab the opportunity with both hands and cement his place which Pandey hasn’t quite done.”
Manjrekar also appealed to the selection committee for having a close eye on Shreyas Iyer, especially going into the World Cup. Iyer had a great IPL 2018 with the Delhi Daredevils, scoring a total of 411 runs with the highest score of 93*. He also featured in the ODI series against South Africa a few months ago, where he batted at no.5. However, Iyer failed to have an impact in the series, the former cricketer turned commentator insisted that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will be the two batsmen who are likely to make a difference to this current Indian squad.
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Describing the same, Sanjay said, “Going forward, KL Rahul and Iyer would be my batsmen in the middle order. Until the World Cup, he [Iyer ] should be given some opportunities. He is a batsman who can bat at no. 5 because he has all the gears. That is the time when the field spread out. I don’t think he is an option for one, two or three. But certainly, post no. 4. KL Rahul can be a good option either as an opener or at no. 4 or no. 3.”
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign on Tuesday against Hong Kong, followed by the much-awaited game against arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday.
