Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes Hardik Pandya should be utilized as a bowler in the T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in New York today. Sanjay Manjrekar also recommended including three seamers in the playing XI at the Nassau County International Cricket Ground.
Sanjay Manjrekar made his debut for the Indian cricket team in 1987 and quickly established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman. Over his career, he played 37 Test matches, scoring 2,043 runs at an average of 37.14, including four centuries and nine fifties. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he represented India in 74 matches, amassing 1,994 runs at an average of 33.23, with one century and 15 half-centuries. Sanjay Manjrekar continues to be a prominent cricket analyst and commentator. His sharp observations and sometimes controversial opinions often spark discussions among cricket fans and experts.
What Sanjay Manjrekar Said
Sanjay Manjrekar, speaking with ESPNcricinfo suggested that India should strengthen their batting lineup by including all-rounder Axar Patel at the expense of a spinner. He believes that the left-arm spin of both Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be crucial on the New York pitch.
He said,
“In this sort of pitch, there is something for seam bowlers. You saw Theekshana didn’t bowl when Sri Lanka played. So, three seamers can play, you can bowl Hardik Pandya because he’s a hit-the-deck bowler.”
“You can reduce a spinner. You need depth in your batting. There, you’ve Sanju Samson, a great Test player, who will benefit. India will look to deepen their batting, so Axar Patel might play. On this pitch, finger spinners will be more successful than wrist spinners.”
In IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya claimed 11 wickets in 12 innings with an economy rate of 10.75, while Axar Patel also secured 11 wickets in 14 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 7.65.
Sanjay Manjrekar on India’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland
Sanjay Manjrekar thinks Yuzvendra Chahal might not play in India’s playing XI against Ireland. He commented that India could rest Kuldeep Yadav and pick four fast bowlers and two finger spinners instead.
He added,
“I don’t think Chahal will get an opportunity. Two left-arm spinners would be enough on this pitch, but keeping Kuldeep Yadav away will be a big call. If you look for horses for courses, then there would be four seamers and two finger spinners. When the boundaries are long, and the outfield is slow, so this combination would also work.”
Shivam Dube did not find a place in Manjrekar’s predicted XI. He clearly favoured Sanju Samson to make it to the playing XI, incase Yashasvi fails to make it.
He concluded by saying,
“Shivam Dube is not in my mix because if Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn’t play, I would once again back Sanju Samson but I am slightly confused after looking at the pitch. There are a lot of batters, we need some bowling options as well.”
In the T20 World Cup warm-up against Bangladesh, Samson managed just one run off six balls. It will be interesting to see how Sanju Samson performs in the marquee tournament after performing exceedingly well in IPL 2024, Samson scored 531 runs in 15 innings and had a mind boggling strike rate of 153.46 and struck 5 half centuries.
Shivam Dube is considered to be the next big thing in World Cricket as in IPL 2024, he amassed 396 runs in 14 matches with a breath taking strike rate of 162.29. Rohit Sharma during the press conference had mentioned that Dube might also bowl couple of overs in the T20 WC 2024.