#TFGtake: Time to give Manish Pandey a chance to cement his place in the senior team

CURRENTLY, INDIA'S batting line-up, regardless of the format, is one of the most formidable in world cricket. In fact, over the past few years, breaking into the national side as a batsman has been extremely challenging for the ones waiting in the wings. 

That said, if there is one batsman, who deserves a chance to make the cut, it has to be Manish Pandey. The Karnataka lad is currently leading the India-A team Down Under and has successfully taken his team to the finals of the competition with some stunning batting display. 

While India's opening slot appears settled, the vulnerability is exposed in the middle-order. Given Pandey’s recent run of form, he could be drafted into that position to lend more depth and solidity. 

The 26-year-old has already notched up two centuries in the ongoing quadrangular series against Australia-A and South Africa-A. Also, the fact that these runs have come against quality pace attack in seamer friendly conditions further justifies Pandey’s class. 

A few months ago, Pandey was a part of the second string side that toured Zimbabwe. That said, out of three ODIs, he only got the opportunity to bat once, and remained not out on four. In the T20s, he batted twice and scored 48 and 0 respectively. It’s also not to be forgotten how Pandey scored a match-winning century 104* to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the Aussies in Sydney, early in the year. 

India hasn’t played an ODI series against a formidable team since January 2016, and we expect Pandey to be picked for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Considering logistics, and the importance of performing well in Australia, the selectors did well to leave him out of the T20 series against the Windies in the USA.

That said, it is only logical that he gets roped into the senior team for the shortest format of the game too. In addition, his ability to play the role of a floater will further make him an asset for India in the T20s. 

Today, the Indian middle-order in the longer format of the game appears a little wobbly. With Rohit Sharma's infuriating stroke-play and sporadic showing, the selectors need to make a tough choice and call for more stability. Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan too are struggling to break free. Although the selectors might be tempted to stick with them for the home series against the Kiwis, we feel Pandey should be given a chance to make his debut. 

At the moment, Pandey is arguably in the form of his life. His attitude towards fearless batting is refreshing to watch and his splendid stroke-play in Australia has certainly got fans back home excited about the future. Today, he is 26 and as we have seen in the past, batsmen mature precisely at this stage in their career. If the selectors don’t recognize the moment today, when will they? 

Very soon the Test team for the series against the Kiwis will be selected, and it would be disappointing if the selectors give Pandey a cold shoulder. Given his rich form, familiar home conditions and unsettled middle-order, we feel the time is right for Pandey to start cementing his place in the senior squad come the New Zealand series.