Asia Cup 2018: It's now or never for Manish Pandey, feels Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels it’s now or never for India batsman Manish Pandey. The Karnataka cricketer has been given another opportunity to feature in the national side. Although Pandey is in the squad for the ongoing Asia Cup, there will be several players gunning for a spot in the India XI against Hong Kong, and subsequently against Pakistan. India has brought back both Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav who also stake claim for a spot in the middle-order.

The reason behind Pandey’s inclusion in the Indian team for the Asia Cup is his brilliant performance for India ‘B’ in the recently concluded quadrangular-series. But the last time he was seen donning an India jersey in an ODI was back in 2017, against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. His ODI career got off to a promising start after he scored 71 on debut against Zimbabwe.

Only in his third ODI, he scored a fabulous century to defeat Australia in Sydney. However, the runs have dried up for Manish ever since, as he’s aggregated just 171 runs in his last 10 ODIs. In his overall ODI career, Pandey averages just over 39 and maintains a strike rate of 93.1.

Surprised Manish Pandey was picked

Manjrekar, who is an expert on ESPNCricinfo, said, “I am surprised that he was picked in this [Asia Cup] squad because, after that hundred in Australia, I was expecting him to carry that form and make his place permanent. Once you get a big score and the confidence is high, a batsman should carry the form. Manish Pandey didn’t quite use that form and that confidence from the century. After that, I think he got some good games at home and I watched him get out playing some loose shots. It is definitely now or never for him.

“Considering the kind of batting wealth we have, a candidate once backed, should be able to grab the opportunity with both hands and cement his place which Pandey hasn’t quite done,” he added.

Manjrekar also called for selectors to look into Shreyas Iyer as a prospect for Team India, especially going into the World Cup. Iyer had a great IPL 2018 with the Delhi Daredevils, scoring a total of 411 runs with the highest score of 93*. He also featured in the ODI series against South Africa a few months ago, where he batted at no.5. However, Iyer was unable to make substantial contributions to the side. But Manjrekar insisted that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will be the two batsmen who are likely to make a difference to this current Indian side.

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are key

“Going forward, KL Rahul and Iyer would be my batsmen in the middle order. Until the World Cup, he [Iyer ] should be given some opportunities. He is a batsman who can bat at no. 5 because he has all the gears. That is the time when the field spread out. I don’t think he is an option for one, two or three [positions]. But certainly, post no. 4. KL Rahul can be a good option either as an opener or at no. 4 or no. 3,” Manjrekar said.

India will begin their Asia Cup defence on Tuesday against Hong Kong, followed by the much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday.

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