'Why Kedar Jadhav and not Manish Pandey?' - Fans question after India lose 2nd ODI against New Zealand

India suffered a 22-run loss against New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series in Auckland on Saturday to squander the series. They lost the first match in Hamilton earlier this year by four wickets even after scoring 347 runs. A let-down by the batting order saw the visitors failing to overhaul the target of 274 despite a late-innings surge from the likes of Ravindra Jadeja (55) and Navdeep Saini (45).

The team’s performance came under the scanner following the loss that saw India finishing second-best in a bilateral ODI series after almost a year (they last lost to Australia 2-3 at home early 2019). While the fans were disappointed over the fact that India left out Mohammed Shami and stuck with Shardul Thakur who proved to be ineffective in the first match, they also felt upset with the ordinary performance of Kedar Jadhav who made only nine off 27 balls at No.6 position.

Kedar Jadhav could not rise to the occasion in Auckland

The 34-year-old batsman, who made a brisk 26 not out in the death overs of the first match, could not rise to the occasion when the team needed him in Auckland. After India lost early wickets while chasing, Jadhav was required to play a stellar knock to lead the chase but his story in the middle was more about playing dot balls.

He could manage one boundary and got dismissed by Tim Southee in the 21st over with the team total yet to reach 100. The likes of Virat Kohli (15) and KL Rahul (4) also fell cheaply in the match to make it difficult for India to keep the series alive.

After Jadhav’s exit, fans came up with posts asking why the in-form Manish Pandey was not played in the game. Pandey, who made a comeback to the national side recently, scored an unbeaten fifty in the recent T20I series that India won 0-5 but has not been picked for any of the ODIs so far.

They even said Pandey is a better batsman and fielder than Jadhav and also offers a good sixth bowling option. Pandey though has never bowled in international cricket so far while Jadhav has claimed 27 wickets in the 50-over format.

Here’s how fans reacted:

#AskStar #NZvIND
Fans to Kohli and Shastri : Despite promising performance in T20i why did you select Kedar Jadhav instead of Manish Pandey ??

Kohli: pic.twitter.com/Yaea62JfYw

— SARVAGYA DUBEY (@sarvagyasonu) February 5, 2020

Why Indian Team is going with kedar jadhav although he is not given an over to bowl.?? Moreover, Manish Pandey is a brilliant fielder and great batsman who can play the role of finisher. @StarSportsIndia#AskStar

— Yusuf Rupawala (@YusufRupawala) February 8, 2020

Some would say that we missed Dhoni and the Indian mistake, but we all know that we have really missed this young #ManishPandey, I hope that the team will give ample opportunity to this man instead of ruining #KedarJadhav pic.twitter.com/aC4GicDcX1

— दत्ता (@Dattahade01) February 8, 2020

situations like these reminds us of one person, he’s #ManishPandey. i still don’t get the reason behind that overrated shit #KedarJadhav’s selection. 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ atleast give manish a chance in the next ODI, atleast he can save us from clean sweep. #NZvsIND

— 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️ (@telugabbaayi) February 8, 2020

@imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc #manishpandey .. shame on u kohli ..money faced politican of cricket https://t.co/e3fSwv12T9

— Kachra seth official (@ESaavaa) February 8, 2020

Please don't pick @JadhavKedar he is useless #pant #manishpandey better then him. pic.twitter.com/damyIDB6AY

— MAHI JANASENA (@umamahe22913387) February 8, 2020

Why the hell team India is not going enough chances to #ManishPandey

— Vineet Tiwari (@pandit_boi) February 8, 2020

@vikrantgupta73 I think India have been luckier in last three 20-20 games which were gifted by nz ,and mistakes were hidden ,but now it's absolutely clear that India Team Mgt Is completely clueless and brainless, Players r not being groomed they r being Demoralized #INDvsNZ

— Ashish Bhardwaj (@aashish2212) February 8, 2020

The Last time Indian No.4 scores ODI Century away from home was 4 years ago. #ManishPandey

Manish Pandey is unfortunate to miss out today #NZvIND@BCCI @im_manishpandey

— Venkatesh R Das (@venkateshRdas) February 8, 2020

IDK what Virat Kohli & Team management are up to. Isn't Manish Pandey deserve a chance like KL Rahul getting before again & again after continuous failure. Look at his performance in last few innings.😏 #ManishPandey #ViratKohli#NZvsIND

— P a l l a v i (@pallzie) February 8, 2020

Why is #kedharjadhav in the squad ! Neither he can bat nor he is bowling ,he is totally useless ! #Manishpandey should be in the playing 11 .@imVkohli @BCCI @virendersehwag @yuzi_chahal @im_manishpandey #SIDNAAZ !

— i_am.sajjan (@AmSajjan) February 8, 2020

If he doesn't bowl, what is #KedarJadhav doing in the team in place of #ManishPandey . Remember Pandey is as good as Jadeja in the field. #NZvIND

— Arnab Bhattacharyya (@Being_AB23) February 8, 2020

Even he bowls, #ManishPandey is always a better batsman/Finisher due to his hitting capabilities. @BCCI

— Chandan S Rathore (@ImCSRathore) February 8, 2020

Give chance to #ManishPandey If Kedar Jadav was not given to bowl then what's the advantage. Do u think he is better player or fielder than Pandey 😑😑pls give chances to pandey in the next match..
He will not dissapoint..

— अरिজিতfan #Shayad (@Arijitdomain) February 8, 2020