Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Hardik Pandya is batting like a dream and should be able to manage leg-spinner Shadab Khan who will be a potential threat to India.
India will open their campaign against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday (28th August). With the kind of form players are in, it’s fair to say that the Rohit Sharma-led side is favourite to win the encounter.
One of the main factors for India would be Pandya. The all-rounder has looked a class apart ever since he returned from the injury with both bat and ball. He has provided his team with crucial finishes as a batter and also has chipped in with the ball at essential stages of the match.
On the other hand, Shadab has been a key in the middle overs for Pakistan and has provided his team with crucial breakthroughs even in the difficult phases since the time he made his debut for the national side.
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The battle between them would be the one to watch and can even turn out to be the deciding factor of the game. In the last few encounters between the teams, the all-rounder has scored runs against the spinner and it would be interesting to see who wins the battle between them this time.
Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Pandya’s record against Pakistan, saying that the all-rounder is batting like a dream.
"Hardik Pandya has a pretty good record against Pakistan. If you remember the 2019 World Cup as well, he was the one who got runs in that match against Pakistan. Hardik Pandya, at the moment, is batting like a dream," Sanjay Manjrekar said during an interview on the Sports 18 show 'Sports Over the Top'
Manjrekar quipped that Pakistani leg-spinner Shadab Khan will be a threat to India with his experience but he also feels that Pandya is at the top of his game and should be able to manage him.
“His (Pandya's) prowess against pace and spin is there for everyone to see. Shadab Khan is a pretty competitive bowler. He is not the traditional wrist-spinner that you get; he doesn't turn the ball massively but has the guiles that you need in T20 cricket.
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“He (Shadab) is also now more experienced than he was say, three-four years back. But Hardik at the moment, as I said, is at the top of his game. So Shadab Khan - despite being a pretty good bowler - Hardik Pandya should be able to manage him.
“He (Pandya) is not somebody who is good against pace when the ball is coming onto the bat, but against spin, you can have him. I think he reads a leg-spinner pretty well. So it shouldn't be a problem for Hardik," he said.
Pandya’s performance with both bat and ball could be crucial for Team India in their clash against Pakistan. If the all-rounder fires, India’s chances of winning the clash will increase. It remains to be seen how he will approach the game.
(Sports 18 inputs)
