India’s Hardik Pandya plays a shot during the first T20 cricket match between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Hardik Pandya’s willingness to commit to domestic cricket and changes in BCCI’s selection committee will be crucial in order to determine whether the allrounder can be India’s long-term option for white-ball captaincy.
“The dynamics of Indian cricket can change with new management in the BCCI or the selection committee. Everyone has a unique approach. For Pandya, the key will be to show his willingness to play consistently. He hardly plays first-class cricket, but if he starts doing so, it will strengthen his case,” Manjrekar said on Star Sports’ programme ‘Deep Point’.
“Pandya has always been good at ICC tournaments. Not many people remember that during the 2019 World Cup, Hardik was India’s go-to bowler on those pitches,” Manjrekar added.
Manjerakar, however, also highlighted the critical role Pandya’s fitness will play in determining his effectiveness over the course of a 50-over tournament.
“You have to run a lot, especially in the middle overs. T20 brings a different set of pressures, but the physical demands in ODIs are much higher-especially for an all-rounder who bowls 7-10 overs and then bats at No. 5 or 6. Physical fitness is crucial,” Manjrekar added.
Pandya had led India in 16 T20Is before chairman of selection committee Ajit Agarkar and newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir picked Suryakumar Yadav to lead the national team in the shortest format.
Sanjay Bangar, meanwhile said that the Mumbai Indians captain has the ability to replicate Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s role as a finisher in the Indian ODI set-up.
“In 50-over matches, Pandya has come the closest to replicating MS Dhoni’s role as a finisher. Dhoni used to take games deep, and his influence is most visible on Pandya,” Bangar said.
“We’ve seen him take games to the 49th or 50th over and secure wins. At the same time, he’s capable of rebuilding an innings if the team is struggling at 30-4. His ability to adapt to various situations is amazing,” he explained.
(With agency inputs)
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