India need Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder not just a batsman, says former star

After few injuries Team India all-rounder and stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya has been reduced to a batsman only. He doesn’t have the kind of intensity in his bowling anymore.

However, with two big tournaments like Asia Cup and ODI World Cup coming up, former star batsman turned expert Sanjay Manjrekar feels that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has to contribute a lot more with both bat and ball to increase India’s chance of lifting the 2023 World Cup trophy later this year.

Manjrekar was concerned about Hardik’s form as the stand-in skipper in the West Indies tour as he didn’t perform well with both bat and ball.  Apart from batting Hardik was very poor in bowling in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against the West Indies as well.

“Hardik’s form is a bit of a concern. He has to do a lot of heavy work at the World Cup. You need him as an all-rounder and not just as a batter. So you need at least six-seven overs per game,” said Manjrekar during an interview.

“When India won the 2011 World Cup, it was because of people like Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina being the batters who could bowl,” said Manjrekar,” he added.