Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) did not have the best start to their Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) campaign after they lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) by 13 runs while chasing a target of 151 runs.

Even though openers Jonny Bairstow gave an amazing start, it was yet another case of the middle order not firing for SRH. Thus, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha feels Manish Pandey who has not been delivering for quite some time now must take a backseat.

“No. 3, it is a very crucial position. He has to deliver. Match after match, the pressure mounts. People who are watching can make out that Manish Pandey is not delivering. At times, it is important that you take a backseat, take a couple of games break and then think about your game,” he told Sports Today.

IPL 2021: David Warner rues not playing smart cricket in the middle overs after SRH’s loss to MI

Ojha feels that Pandey taking a break will in turn benefit him and SRH should bring in someone like Kedar Jadhav in the middle order.

“You need someone like Kedar Jadhav. If you see that middle-order, it did not carry forward the hard work done by David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. For someone like Manish Pandey, it will be good for him if he gets a couple of games break. At times, it really helps,” Ojha added.

The 34-year-old feels think Jadhav will provide stability to SRH’s middle order as the spinner said, “Maybe they can look in for Kedar Jadhav who can deliver because I think they have a few more games in Chennai. He can deliver some handy off-spin and give some stability in the batting.”

After MI, David Warner and Co. will be taking on KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings on 21 April at Chennai.

(With Sports Today inputs)