With big events like Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 on the list, the BCCI and the team management are analyzing the players for the selection of the squad. On this occasion, the Former Indian batter thinks Hardik Pandya should put in a lot of physical work before ODI World Cup.
Sanjay Manjrekar Doubts Hardik Pandya’s Form
India has been currently playing in a three-match T20I series against Ireland where India had a victory in the 1st and 2nd T20I match and sealed the series with a 2-0 lead. After the West Indies tour, Hardik Pandya has been rested on Ireland series.
Hardik Pandya had given 32 runs and did not scalp any of the wickets in the final match of the T20I series against West Indies. He didn’t complete his quota he needed to bowl per innings.
As India was having an experimental phase in the West Indies tour, it was less than expected from the player in the Caribbean series. With the return of Jasprit Bumrah, the side has improved a lot in fast bowling attack in the Asia Cup and the team management expects the same from the allrounder.
But former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar thinks the player needs to have more physical work in the World Cup expecting him to bowl 6-7 overs per innings. He has also raised concerns about the player in the lead-up for the World Cup.
He also compared him with Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh (batters) who helped the team with bowling in the World Cup 2011 and also mentions the importance of Hardik Pandya improving his bowling.
“Hardik Pandya’s form is a bit of a concern. He has to do a lot of heavy work at the World Cup. You need him as an all-rounder and not just as a batter. So you need at least 6-7 overs per game. When India won the 2011 World Cup, it was because of people like Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina being the batters who could bowl,” said Manjrekar.
Hardik Pandya had expressed his emotions on his current level and expects himself to take on a higher bowling role in the upcoming events.
“My body is fine. I have to bowl more overs and get my workload up for the World Cup. I am a turtle right now, not a rabbit, and hoping everything goes right as the World Cup comes on,” said Hardik after the ODI series against West Indies.
India has not won the World Cup since 2011 when India defeated Sri Lanka in the finals. India has not yet announced their squad for the World Cup 2023 while named Asia Cup 2023 squad under Rohit. The reports from NCA say that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are fit to play.
Asia Cup 2023 is set to start on August 30, and India will be clashing with their arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.
After the Asia Cup India will be leading to the World Cup 2023 which is set to begin on October 5 and India will be having their first match against Australia on October 8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
