Intense Waqar-Manjrekar Debate: Jadega And Hardik Not Comparable To Yuvraj Singh During IND vs. PAK Rain Break

Summary; Can Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja replicate Yuvraj Singh’s 2011 World Cup performance? Waqar Younis and Sanjay Manjrekar deliberate on the matter.

Yuvraj Singh’s pivotal role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory remains timeless. Despite entering the tournament with a dip in form, Yuvra emerged as the standout performer, earning the player of the series accolade as India clinched the trophy. He showcased remarkable consistency, amassing 362 runs and proving his worth as a bowler with 15 wickets. Now, over a decade later, India is still in search of Yuvraj’s successor, and as another World Cup approaches, discussions about “who will step into Yuvraj’s shoes” are gaining momentum.

During the India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup Super-Four match on Saturday, a rain interruption and wet outfield prompted a noteworthy discussion. Former Indian cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Waqar Younis engaged in a debate about whether all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya could fulfill a role similar to Yuvraj Singh's during the 2011 World Cup. Waqar expressed confidence in Hardik's abilities, but Manjrekar presented a contrasting perspective.

Sanjay Manjrekar, the ex-Indian cricketer, emphasized that India relies heavily on Ravindra Jadeja in the ICC ODI World Cup. Nevertheless, he clarified that it wouldn't be just to draw parallels between Jadeja and Yuvraj Singh. It's worth noting that Yuvraj played a crucial role in India's last ICC World Cup victory in 2011, earning the Player of the Series accolade.

"It's highly likely, almost a sure bet, that he will feature in all World Cup matches. India's reliance on him is undeniable. While Axar Patel may be in reserve, Jadeja will be the primary spin-bowling all-rounder. When facing a challenging pitch or a strong opponent, he can complete his quota of 10 overs," Manjrekar stated to Star Sports.

"Consider the contributions of Hardik and Jadeja. They possess significant skills with both the bat and the ball. Particularly Hardik Pandya, based on his performance against Pakistan, I believe he's a highly destructive batsman at the No. 6 position. Any team would greatly value someone of his caliber. He combines aggression with astute and sensible play, as demonstrated in the recent match," the former Pakistani fast bowler conveyed to the host broadcaster.

"He performed like a champion. He patiently bided his time and, when the moment was opportune, he unleashed his innate style of play. In my opinion, having these two players at the 6th and 7th positions will provide India with a significant boost. Their primary objective is to avoid losing wickets early in the innings. If you grant them the final 10 overs, they have the capability to chase down the target swiftly," the statement expressed.

Waqar's comments came after Hardik's resilient 87 off 90 balls, echoing MS Dhoni's rescues. Partnering with Ishan Kishan at 66/4, they posted 138 runs. Hardik displayed a mix of caution and aggression, almost securing his maiden ODI century. However, Manjrekar believes they can't replicate Yuvraj's role for reasons he explained.