Cricket

T20 World Cup 2021: Brad Haddin unsure how India will accommodate Hardik Pandya in the starting XI going ahead

 

Going into the T20 World Cup 2021 there was plenty of speculation surrounding Hardik Pandya. The Baroda all-rounder has bowled sparsely since his back injury in 2019 and hadn’t bowled even a single over in IPL 2021. Several former cricketers and experts suggested that India’s balance will be affected if Pandya doesn’t bowl.

That turned out to be the case in the first match against Pakistan. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami looked extremely ordinary and the lack of a sixth bowling option made the attack completely toothless. As a result, India ended up suffering a 10-wicket defeat.

Hardik Pandya’s form with the bat doesn’t inspire plenty of confidence either. While he didn’t face enough balls to make a mark against Pakistan, the Mumbai Indians cricketer had a forgettable IPL 2021 season. Playing as a pure batter, he managed just 127 runs in 12 innings at a disastrous average of 14.11 and at a strike rate of just above 113. These are Pandya’s worst numbers in the league since IPL 2017.

Former Australian player Brad Haddin stated that the Indian think-tank will now have to make decision regarding the sixth bowler and whether they should play Hardik Pandya as a pure batter. Speaking to Fox Cricket, he said, “Interesting problem they have is the sixth bowler. Hardik Pandya is not bowling. Now will they start to doubt what’s been successful for them for a long period of time. Do they have to bring an all-rounder in to cover that sixth bowling option. So, they have got some decisions to make.”

However, Brad Haddin isn’t too worried about the Indian team despite their 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in their opening game in the T20 World Cup. In the post-match media interaction, captain Virat Kohli had said that Pakistan played superior cricket and that there was no need to press the panic button. Haddin echoed similar sentiments.

“I don’t think India will be too worried. Listening to the press conference, he (Virat) just said ‘we were beaten by a better team’ and that happens. It’s the first game of the tournament. They play T20 cricket as well as anyone in the world. So, that’s a classy response there (from Virat). I don’t think they will be worried,” he concluded.

 

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

“Never expected a very easy run” – Gautam Gambhir reflects on his tenure as coach after IND vs NZ 2024 Test series defeat

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that he never expected a very easy run… Read More

October 31, 2024

Probably has a lot to do with playing on flat wickets in T20 – Gautam Gambhir on decline of good defensive technique in Test cricket

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir feels T20 cricket has led to the downfall of a… Read More

October 31, 2024

India needs Mumbai Test win before Australia tour – Gautam Gambhir

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir feels the Rohit Sharma-led team desperately needs to win the… Read More

October 31, 2024

I cannot say just the batters have let us down – Gautam Gambhir feels everyone should take responsibility for series loss against New Zealand

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to blame the batters after the team’s 2-0 series… Read More

October 31, 2024

It was insane – Bronny James after scoring his first NBA bucket

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James was on cloud nine after he managed to score… Read More

October 31, 2024

I’m happy with my team’s performance: Mohun Bagan SG head coach Jose Molina after win against Hyderabad FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina was delighted with the team’s performance after… Read More

October 31, 2024