Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has endorsed Hardik Pandya as India's primary all-rounder for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Despite a disappointing performance in the recent IPL 2024, Pandya, who is the vice-captain of the Indian team, has joined the squad in the USA as they prepare for the tournament with a training camp.
Hardik Pandya Gets Sanjay Manjrekar's backing
"My vote will always go to Hardik Pandya. I know he had a pretty quiet IPL, but look back at the last T20 World Cup India played. In the last match against England at Adelaide, Hardik Pandya scored 60 off 30 balls, or around 60 off 33 balls, with a strike rate of 190, after India had scored 62 in their first 10 overs," Manjrekar said on Star Sports Press Room Show.
"When it comes to T20 World Cups and marquee events, you back the players who excel on the big stage. For me, it will always be Hardik Pandya or Rishabh Pant ahead of people like Shivam Dube until we see Shivam Dube perform on the big stage."
The Rohit Sharma-led team is set to play a warm-up match against India on Saturday, June 1, at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Manjrekar noted Hardik's struggles in IPL 2024 but highlighted his previous successes in the 2022 T20 World Cup. He favored Hardik and Rishabh Pant over Shivam Dube for their ability to perform on larger stages.
Hardik is eager to return to the field in an Indian jersey after a nine-month break due to an ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh on October 19. He made his comeback as captain of the Mumbai franchise in IPL 2024, where he faced a hostile reception from fans and managed only 216 runs and 11 wickets in 14 games. Under his leadership, Mumbai finished last and was the first team eliminated from the playoff race.
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