Hardik Pandya Has Found His Bat In 2020: Sanjay Manjrekar
Dec 7, 2020 at 4:24 PM
Hardik Pandya is having a superb Australian tour which is his first time wearing Indian jersey in 2020. He proved that he is a big asset to Indian side providing much-needed balance and impetus in ODI and T20I series so far.
He was the highest run-scorer for India in ODI series which India lost 2-1. He accumulated 210 runs in three ODIs with two scoress in the nineties. He followed it up with 58 runs in two T20Is including a match-winning unbeaten 42 in 2nd T20I as India gained an unassailable lead in T20I series.
Hardik Pandya Found His Bat Like Steve Smith Finding His Hands: Sanjay Manjrekar
The highest run-getter in Australian tour overtaking likes of in-form batsmen Virat Kohli and KL Rahul is a tough ask as the Baroda all-rounder bats lower down the batting order. Steve Smith scored 2 centuries accumulating 216 runs in ODI series and has scored 58 runs in T20Is commented that he found his hands after a poor outing in IPL 2020.
Sanjay Manjrekar, the renowned commentator said Hardik Pandya found his bat-like Steven Smith finding his hands. Sanjay Manjrekar was initially sceptical of the Mumbai Indian’s batsman’s selection as a specialist no.6 batsman as he is not bowling much nowadays not to risk aggravating lower back pain.
“If Steve Smith found his hands in this series then Hardik Pandya found his bat,” Sanjay Manjrekar said in the post-match show on Sony.
“When you break it down into little specifics. Last over, there was this situation where Hardik Pandya had five balls to face and had to hit two sixes. Now when you look at Hardik Pandya’s ability and his form, it’s not a big deal. Five balls, two sixes. That’s when you started believing he could do it,” Manjrekar continued.
Hardik Pandya Put Bowlers Under Pressure As Finisher: Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar, the former Indian pacer was also impressed with the big hitter’s ability to put bowlers under pressure with his power hitting.
“The bowlers are also under pressure knowing that every time they get it wrong, he is not going to miss. Just an incredible belief in your own abilities to get it done even towards the latter stages of the innings That’s why everyone rates Hardik Pandya as well as they do,” Agarkar said on the same show.
Hardik Pandya had scored 90, 28 and unbeaten 92 in 3 ODIs before scoring 16 an unbeaten 42 in two T20Is to grab the attention of selectors, fans, experts and cricketers. Hardik Pandya last played in T20Is in September 2019 against South Africa after undergoing surgery before the limited over series against Australia. His last ODI tournament came in 2019 World Cup where he amassed 226 runs and picked 10 wickets.