Sunrisers Hyderabad have had a horrific start to their IPL 2021 campaign so far with only one win in six matches so far. As they got set to play another crucial encounter against high-flying Chennai Super Kings, David Warner was expected to make a few changes to the SRH side. To some people’s surprise and others’ delight, Indian batsman Manish Pandey made a comeback into the playing XI after being dropped for the last few matches.
Why was Pandey dropped?
The stylish right-handed batsman was notably dropped from SRH side because of his strike-rate issues in the first few matches. His knock against RCB, where he made 38 runs off 39 deliveries, really frustrated the fans and after another poor outing against MI, he was surprisingly left out of the playing XI for the match against Punjab. While SRH won that match, the services of an experienced batsman like Pandey was missed in the clash against Delhi where Williamson was the sole warrior. Hence, the Orange Army took another big call and recalled the veteran back into the side.
Pandey silences his critics on comeback
The SRH batsman came in to bat early in the innings with the early fall of wicket of Jonny Bairstow. However, it was a different Manish Pandey who turned up in New Delhi on Wednesday. With David Warner struggling at the other end, the 31-year-old was at his absolute best as he went on to smash a gritty half-century on his 150th IPL match.
A high-quality fifty from @im_manishpandey on his 150th IPL match 👏👏#CSKvSRH #OrangeOrNothing #OrangeArmy #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/BR4QtMraC4
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 28, 2021
Notably, Pandey had also been excluded from the annual BCCI contract released recently to add salt to the wound. Considering the last few days, the fans were extremely happy to see such a talented cricketer bounce back in style. Manish Pandey’s crucial knock of 61 runs off 46 deliveries set up a perfect platform for Williamson and Jadhav to take the total of SRH to 171/3 in 20 overs. Twitterati couldn’t stop praising the right-handed batsman as they hailed him for his heroic comeback.
Here are the reactions:
Very well done @im_manishpandey. Actions speak louder than words. Keep rocking 💪🏼✌️#CSKvSRH #IPL2021 @SunRisers
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) April 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/RahulRyon/status/1387423590899806216
Fifty for Manish Pandey from 35 balls, he had tough times in first few matches then dropped and comeback like a champion – Brilliant knock, Manish. #CSKvSRH
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 28, 2021
Manish "Classy" Pandey @im_manishpandey @SunRisers #CSKvsSRH #IPL2021
— Subbu Andhukuri 🇮🇳 (@SubbuAndhukuri) April 28, 2021
Manish Pandey is back, always a good player in top order, finally got his rhythm back even when Davey was struggling. Well played, Manish. Score biggg.
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) April 28, 2021
#ManishPandey once again proves his mettle today. He's undoubtedly one of the few truly RELIABLE players in #IPL. Still remember his VALUABLE inning of 95 runs in 2014 finals that #KKR won. He's also the 1st player to hit Century in IPL. That form is INTACT even today.#CSKvsSRH
— Aavishkar (@aavishhkar) April 28, 2021
Well played, Manish Pandey. He scored 61 runs from 46 balls including 5 fours and 1 Six against CSK in his comeback match. Superb innings in difficult batting conditions. #IPL2021
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/MrHasa9/status/1387433307013406722
Brilliant innings from Manish Pandey on his return to the side. Not easy playing such good knock under pressure that too when Warner was struggling. pic.twitter.com/YkPpE3Btdb
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 28, 2021
