Pandya shouldn't be bowling his full 10 overs in One Day Cricket: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian middle-order batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels it would not be the best of ideas to bowl all-rounder Hardik Pandya's full ten overs in One-Day cricket. Hardik Pandya, who recently made a comeback into international cricket, looks in sublime form with both bat and ball in hand. Pandya not only led the charge in his IPL side Gujarat Titans' title victory in IPL 2022 but also chipped in with crucial all-around contributions in the recent series against South Africa and the ongoing series against England. The all-rounder is also a part of the ODI squad slated to face England. 

Pandya's regained ability to bowl his full quota of four overs in the T20Is has been of utmost significance to the Indian team. The current Indian team boasts a formidable bowling line-up, and the addition of Pandya adds the stability that the Indian T20 team requires. However, Manjrekar feels that Pandya isn't ready to be able to bowl ten overs in One Day Internationals. He said,

"There I am worried. I am not sure it's a great call, but I don't think he is making the trip to West Indies, if I remember, for the one-dayers. 50-overs cricket for an all-rounder is tough, it really takes a lot out of you," he said while speaking to Sports18. 

It is physically very draining: Sanjay Manjrekar 

Manjrekar asserted that it is difficult for the 27-year-old to bowl ten overs completely because he also has a vital role to fulfil with the bat in and as well. The cricketer-turned commentator believes it's easier for Pandya to fulfil both roles in T20 cricket.  

"You are bowling ten overs in just about three-and-a-half hours which is a lot, plus if you are batting towards the end and stay not out while batting first and then come in and bowl those ten overs, it is physically very draining," he added. 

The cricketing pundit feels that Pandya should be used as a batting all-rounder because his form with the bat has been tremendous and stated that he could make a cameo with the ball in the middle and bowl a couple of overs. 

"So I am a little worried if Hardik Pandya plays 50-overs cricket and is expected to bowl ten overs, or maybe he is not expected to bowl 10. His batting has been so good that he can be your batting all-rounder who will chip in with maybe five overs on a good day," he concluded.