Cricket News

‘I am not sure it’s a great call’ – Sanjay Manjrekar on Hardik Pandya bowling 10 overs in ODIs

Former India and Mumbai cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opines that Hardik Pandya bowling his full quota of 10 overs in one-day internationals is not the best thing for him at the moment.

Hardik, who made his international comeback and is in fine touch with both the bat and the ball, has been included in the squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England.

With Hardik Pandya back for India, it will only add to the bowling options and further strengthen the side. But, the former India cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, though, thinks differently.

 “There I am worried. I am not sure it’s a great call but I don’t think he is making the trip to West Indies, if I remember, for the one-days. 50-overs cricket for an all-rounder is tough, it really takes a lot out of you,” he said while speaking to Sports18.

He further went on to add that Hardik Pandya’s fitness will be tested and that it will be physically draining on him to play the full all-around role for the team.

“You are bowling 10 overs in just about three-and-a-half hours which is a lot, plus if you are batting towards the end and stay not out while batting first and then come in and bowl those 10 overs, it is physically very draining,” he added.

The former cricketer feels that Hardik is better off to be treated as a batting all-rounder who can bat primarily and chip in with overs whenever required and not a bowling all rounder.

“So I am a little worried if Hardik Pandya plays 50-overs cricket and is expected to bowl 10 overs, or maybe he is not expected to bowl 10. His batting has been so good that he can be your batting all-rounder who will chip in with maybe five overs on a good day,” he added.