Manish Pandey is raring to get back into the Indian side’s playing XI. The recently posted video of Pandey playing in the nets might be indicative that he has got a nod ahead of the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Pandey was recalled from the Playing XI after he suffered an injury. Pandey was rewarded for his performance leading the India A-team on the South Africa tour. Pandey was unfortunate to miss ICC Champions Trophy as well due to an injury, he was replaced by wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on the side.
Pandey has been out of the side for a while now. He played his previous ODI against New Zealand in October 2016. He has been in and out of the side for a few years now. He would have been a sure shot in the team but KL Rahul’s return has crowded the options for a berth in the side.
Pandey made a name for himself during the India vs Australia ODI series 2015-16 when he rescued the team from a batting collapse. Pandey scored an unbeaten ton and took the win home by chasing a mammoth target against Australia, the only ODI they won in the series.
Pandey has been consistent for India ‘A’ as well. He recently scored 93 to rescue the team against South Africa and guided them to a nerve-wracking win by one wicket in the last over.
.@im_manishpandey sweating it out in the net session ahead of the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/1RDKZXS1vo
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2017
The challenge against Pandey is not just KL Rahul. Kedar Jadhav, too, has cemented his spot in the team as a batting all-rounder who has a golden arm and answers to the skipper Virat Kohli’s call whenever a partnership needs to be broken.
In the previous ODI as well Jadhav showcased his talent with the ball. The road ahead for Pandey is tough until and unless Jadhav fails miserably with the bat. Though it is possible that Kohli tries to experiment with 2019 World Cup in his mind.
