Hardik Pandya hadn’t bowled a single over in IPL 2021 which raised several questions around his fitness. Pandya bowling would lend balance to the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup but selectors decided to take a cautious approach and included Shardul Thakur in the final squad.
While speculations surrounding the Baroda all-rounder continue to make the rounds in media houses, Ajit Agarkar insists that India should play Shardul Thakur against Pakistan instead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bhuvi conceded 54 runs in four overs in the warm-up game against England without picking up a single wicket – a worrying sign. Meanwhile, Thakur is in the form of his life and recently won the IPL title with Chennai Super Kings.
“Relatively certain that Virat Kohli would like six bowling options. If the pitch has something to offer, then you can perhaps take a chance with five bowlers, but if it’s a flat pitch, he would ideally want to go in with six bowlers with three seamers and they have lots of spin options,” Agarkar said on the Star Sports show Cricket Connected.
” Jadeja is an all-rounder whose batting has come out in leaps and bounds. So, you can treat him as one of the top-order batsmen. So, my six options if Hadik Pandya is not to bowl – would be Bumrah, Shami, Shardul, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar.”
While Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s form (he managed just six wickets from 11 matches in IPL 2021 and had a bowling average of 55.83) has raised the eyebrows of the team management, captain Virat Kohli has continued with his backing of the senior bowler. Kohli praised the experience of Bhuvi and thinks that he bowls his best when exposed to pressure.
“No, not at all [concerned]. His economy rates still continue to be top notch, something that he’s always been known for and his experience comes to the fore under pressure,” Virat Kohli said on Satuday.
“He’s back to being at full fitness, which augurs really well for our team. I’m sure with the new ball, he’ll definitely get some kind of assistance through the tournament and, whatever little there’s on offer [for the pacers], Bhuvneshwar [Kumar] knows how to make the maximum use out of that. So, his experience, as I said, is going to be priceless for us,” Kohli concluded.
