IND vs SA | Would like to see Manish Pandey retain his place to showcase his talent, opines VVS Laxman
Legendary Indian cricketer VVS Laxman is of the opinion that Manish Pandey must retain his place in the playing XI and be given an opportunity to showcase his talent. Laxman also believes that India must take a call on the future of Shikhar Dhawan, who has been struggling for runs off late.
Former Indian batsman VVS Laman believes that the Virat Kohli-led Indian team will head into the three-match T20I series against South Africa as firm favorites and also expects the Men in Blue to put up a strong and dominant display coming on the back of an impressive 3-0 victory against the Windies.
"The ease with which India brushed them aside (3-0 in T20I series) in Lauderhill and Providence was a tremendous achievement, and I expect an equally strong performance against Quinton de Kock's young South Africa side," Laxman told Times of India.
"It was an unqualified success, away from home, against the formidable West Indies who are the defending T20 World Cup champions," he added.
One player who is under the scanner is left-hander Shikhar Dhawan, who could only manage scores of 1, 3 and 23 in the T20Is against the Windies. Despite him making a strong comeback in the unofficial ODIs against South Africa 'A', Laxman believes that the team management needs to be clear on what they are going to do with Dhawan, especially with plenty of youngsters knocking on the door.
"With the next T20 World Cup a little over a year away, India will have to decide whether Shikhar Dhawan is still the preferred opening partner for Rohit Sharma going forward," he said of Dhawan.
"There are a lot of other batsmen capable of striking up a good alliance with Rohit at the top of the order. How long a rope the team management is willing to give him will make for interesting viewing," he added.
Laxman also said that he would like to see Manish Pandey, who looks set to be replaced by Shreyas Iyer, retain his place in the team in order to showcase his talent and ability. Pandey recently led India 'A' in their limited-overs triumph against South Africa and also amassed scores of 102*, 53* and 58* in the 2019 edition of the Karnataka Premier League.
"India boast of a powerful and experienced batting line-up which gives them the edge straightaway, and the return of Hardik Pandya adds greater firepower to the batting and balance to the team.
"While Hardik will slot straightaway into the playing XI, I would also like to see Manish Pandey retain his place to showcase his abilities," Laxman signed off.
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