Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised Hardik Pandya after his 92 off 76 balls played a key role in India winning the 3rd ODI against Australia.
India struggled to get back to their form in the Australia tour. India lost the 3 match ODI series to the host in 2-1 format. After losing the first two ODI matches India seeks a victory to avoid the whitewash loss.
After winning the toss India elected to bat first where skipper Virat Kohli scored 63 runs as the highest run in the top order. Jadeja and Hardik Pandya join hands and literally dragged India to score 302 runs.
Sanjay Manjrekar Praises Hardik Pandya
Where Hardik Pandya with his outstanding performance scored 92 runs from 76 deliveries and stands undefeated. Pandya receives praises from various cricketers after his back to back impressive performance with the bat in the Australia series.
Hardik Pandya 🔥 Brilliant Knock Under Pressure, From 150/5 to 302/5.
Valiant Effort Jaddu Too 👏#INDvsAUS #ViratKohli #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/BsSxqYUrko
— Times of Sports (@timesofsports) December 2, 2020
“I was skeptical when they picked him on IPL performance. I thought he was a good T20 batsman but 50 over is a slightly different game. Can Hardik Pandya be a pure 50 overs batsman? He proved to all of us that he can,” Manjrekar said on Sony Six after India’s win in the 3rd ODI.
“He had that score in the first match but we have seen him get runs and not be consistent enough but we have seen in this game again today. So yes, India have found a pure No. 6. Who knows he might start going up the order?”
Manjrekar further added that the knock wasn’t necessarily a T20 style one as Pandya had to consolidate early on in his knock due to the fact that India had lost a few wickets early.
“It wasn’t a T20 innings, India lost early wickets and he got 30 from his first 30 balls. He has got the range and not too many bowlers can keep him quiet. That’s really impressive. He has convinced me as I was skeptical about him as a No. 6 pure batsmen. I think India have found one.
“Whether he bowls or not, India have now found a very capable batsman who can be used as an option in No. 5 or No. 6.”
After setting a descent target Australia get to chase the target where the India’s debut bowler T Natarajan makes a lightning delivery to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne for 7 runs. With the wicket, T Natarajan opens his account in the international ODI wicket section. India wins the last match of the ODI series by beating Australia by 13 runs.
