After facing losses in the first two ODIs, the Indian cricket team finally got back on the winning track on Wednesday in Canberra, ending their five-game losing streak in the format. Hardik Pandya’s stellar show in the third and final ODI guided India to their first Down Under series win. His 92 match winner has impressed former India hitter Sanjay Manjrekar, who was initially skeptical of Pandya’s selection on the ODI squad for the Australia series.
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Pandya took the limelight with his 90 undefeated in the opener, then posted a 92 in the final series win, avoiding a 0-3 sweep for India. Additionally, Pandya also tops the Indian side’s batting charts in the three-game series, scoring a total of 210 runs, including his two highest individual ODI scores.
Manjrekar supported Pandya saying that India has found a reliable No. 6 hitter in him and is confident in his performance even if he is not bowling. The former hitter added that he was impressed with Pandya’s maturity displayed during his hits in Sydney and Canberra.
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“I was skeptical when he was chosen for his performance in IPL. I thought he was a good T20 hitter, but over 50, it’s a slightly different game. Can Hardik Pandya be a pure 50-overs hitter and he showed us all that he can do it, ”Manjrekar said at the Sony Six after India’s victory in the third ODI.
“He had that score in the first game, but we’ve seen him get runs and not be consistent enough, but we’ve seen him in this game again today. So yes, India has found a pure number 6. Who knows who could start uploading the order? “
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Manjrekar accepted that Pandya’s lighthearted performance with the bat has forced him to change his mind about the latter hitting number six in the batting order. The former India hitter initially believes that if India is playing a genuine hitter at No. 6, Manish Pandey might have been a better option, but after Pandya’s heroics, Manjrekar changed his mind.
“It was not a T20 inning, India lost early ground and got 30 of their first 30 balls. He has the range and not many bowlers can keep him quiet. That is really impressive. He has convinced me because I was skeptical about him as a pure number 6 hitter. I think India has found one, ”Manjrekar said.
“Whether he bowls or not, India has now found a very capable hitter who can be used as an option at No. 5 or No. 6.”
Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja led the team to the rescue after India struggled 152 out of 5 following the ejection of Virat Kohli in 32nd. The duo contributed an unbeaten record of 150 runs when India finished with 302. After earning a consolation win and having their account open in Australia, India will be more optimistic when they face Australia in the first of three matches. T20I series in Canberra on Friday.
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