Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Parthiv Patel reckons India would want Hardik Pandya to get some runs in the Asia Cup ahead of the World Cup. Pandya meandered to 14 runs off 18 balls in the deciding game of the series against the West Indies in Florida on Sunday and failed to provide impetus in the middle overs.

The Indian skipper could not lead from the front with the bat in the five-match series as he could only manage 77 runs in four innings at an average of 25.67 and a subdued strike rate of 110. Furthermore, Pandya took four wickets in the series at an average of 31.50.

India lost the series by 3-2 and this was Hardik Pandya’s first series loss as a T20I captain. In fact, Pandya hasn’t been batting at his absolute best in the recent past and it will be crucial for him to turn the tables in the forthcoming Asia Cup.

“Against Nicholas Pooran, he (Hardik Pandya) gave that over to Axar Patel and not bowling Yuzvendra Chahal. Bowling changes and the utilization of the bowlers are something that tells me that Hardik, the captain for India, is still a work in progress. And there is obviously a little concern about his batting. He needs runs.”

He added, “He didn’t get runs in the IPL, he didn’t get runs in the last couple of series as well. India would want to get some runs for Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup or the series against Australia before the World Cup,” Parthiv Patel told Cricbuzz.

Meanwhile, Pandya scored 346 runs in 15 innings of IPL 2023 while leading Gujarat Titans at an average of 31.45 and a strike rate of 136.75.

There is no doubt that Pandya will hold the key for the Indian team in the World Cup with both bat and ball as he adds balance to the side. Pandya is going to be crucial in the lower middle-order and he will look to provide the finishing touches.