Former India spinner Pragyan Ojha said Manish Pandey has not been delivering despite the trust shown in him by the Sunrisers Hyderabad team management in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 and a couple of games break can work in his favour.
Sunrisers Hyderabad slipped to their worst-ever start in an IPL season after losing their first three matches of the new season. Chasing 151 against MI, SRH got off to a solid start with openers Warner and Bairstow adding 67 runs but the former champions were bundled out for 137.
Pandey, who bats at No. 3 for SRH, began his season with a 44-ball 61 not out but the Karnataka batsman was not able to close out the match in their chase of 188 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Against RCB, Pandey’s strike rate came under the scanner as he hit 38 off 39 balls as Sunrisers lost by 7 runs while chasing 150 at Chepauk.
Adding that Sunrisers might benefit if they bring in former Chennai Super Kings player Kedar Jadhav, Ojha said: “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.
Manish Pandey has been a consistent performer for Sunrisers over the years but the senior India batsman has failed to take up responsibility in the middle-order, which lacks experience at the moment. Following Pandey’s exit on Saturday, Sunrisers did not get any momentum going into their innings.
After David Warner was run out in the 12th over, the likes of Virat Singh, Abdul Samad and Abhishekh Sharma failed to chip in. Vijay Shankar’s 28-ball 26 ended in vain as the all-rounder was not able to take the team past the finish line.
“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.
Sunrisers Hyderabad missed the experience of Kane Williamson as the New Zealand captain has not yet completely recovered from an elbow injury. However, Warner said on Saturday that the senior batsman is close to regaining full fitness. SRH will look to open their account in the new season when they take on Punjab Kings in Chennai on Wednesday.
