11th September 2023, Mumbai: The debate between Waqar Younis and Sanjay Manjrekar regarding whether Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja can fill the role of Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 World Cup has stirred quite a discussion among cricket enthusiasts. Yuvraj Singh’s incredible performance during the 2011 World Cup remains etched in cricketing history, and his ability to contribute both with the bat and the ball was crucial to India’s victory.
Waqar Younis expressed confidence
Waqar Younis expressed confidence in Hardik Pandya’s skills, particularly after his remarkable innings against Pakistan, where he displayed both composure and aggression. Waqar believes that Hardik, along with Jadeja, can provide the necessary push to India’s batting lineup.
Manjrekar pointed out Yuvraj
Sanjay Manjrekar, on the other hand, held a different view. While acknowledging the talents of Hardik and Jadeja with both bat and ball, he argued that they haven’t reached the level of consistency that Yuvraj Singh had achieved in his prime. Manjrekar pointed out that Yuvraj was not only a superb batter but also a match-winner who could turn games around with his performances.
Hardik more as a batting all-rounder
The debate between the two cricketing legends continued, with Manjrekar expressing reservations about Hardik Pandya’s ability to bowl his full quota of 10 overs consistently. He labeled Hardik more as a batting all-rounder and highlighted that while Hardik played brilliantly in the last game, he needed to work on his consistency in both disciplines, particularly bowling.
Ultimately, the debate centers on whether Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja can replicate Yuvraj Singh’s all-round prowess, where he could not only provide vital contributions with the bat but also deliver crucial wickets with the ball. While both Pandya and Jadeja possess remarkable talents, they have yet to establish themselves as consistently dominant in both facets of the game, similar to Yuvraj during his prime.
By Yashika Desai