Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar wants Rohit Sharma to use Hardik Pandya as a bowler in India’s opening clash against Ireland in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Pandya bowled three overs in the warm-up match against Bangladesh and returned with figures of 1-30 in the three overs he bowled.

Pandya scored 216 runs in 13 innings at an average of 18 and picked 11 wickets at a high economy rate of 10.75 while leading Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024.

Thus, Pandya didn’t have a great run in the IPL but he will be determined to prove his mettle in the T20 World Cup.

Manjrekar backed India to play all three seamers – Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah and also give the ball to Hardik Pandya as he is a hit-the-deck bowler.

Manjrekar said on ESPN Cricinfo, “In this sort of pitch, there is something for seam bowlers. You saw Theekshana didn’t bowl when Sri Lanka played. So, three seamers can play, you can bowl Hardik Pandya because he’s a hit-the-deck bowler.”

Manjrekar feels India’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal might not get an opportunity. Chahal scalped 18 wickets in 15 matches of IPL 2024 while playing for Rajasthan Royals.

“I don’t think Chahal will get an opportunity. Two left-arm spinners would be enough on this pitch, but keeping Kuldeep Yadav away will be a big call. If you look for horses for courses, then there would be four seamers and two finger spinners. When the boundaries are long, and the outfield is slow, so this combination would also work.”

The renowned commentator said he doesn’t see Shivam Dube in the playing XI and wants Sanju Samson to play if Yashasvi Jaiswal is not picked.

“Shivam Dube is not in my mix because if Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn’t play, I would once again back Sanju Samson but I am slightly confused after looking at the pitch. There are a lot of batters, we need some bowling options as well.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5th.