Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes Hardik Pandya only deserves a place in India’s playing XI if he does proper bowling in the two warm-up matches before Team India begins their T20 World Cup campaign.
Pandya’s selection has come under the scanner as he is not bowling regularly due to his fitness.
In fact, Pandya didn’t even bowl a single over for Mumbai Indians in the recently concluded Indian Premier League due to bowling fitness. Furthermore, Pandya wasn’t in the best of forms with the bat for MI as he could only score 127 runs in 11 innings at a meager average of 14.11 and a strike rate of 93.57.
There is no doubt that Pandya brings the right balance to the team as an all-rounder but he should bowl his quota of four overs to contribute in a better way. In fact, according to the latest reports Pandya could only be used as a batter and thus Shardul Thakur has replaced Axar Patel in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Pandya has the skills to turn the match on its head with the bat but he would add more value as an all-rounder.
Gautam Gambhir said while talking to Star Sports, “For me, Hardik Pandya gets into India’s playing XI only if he does proper bowling in both warmup games, not only in the nets. There is a huge difference between bowling in the nets and against quality batsmen like Babar Azam and that too in the World Cup.”
“He has to bowl in the practice matches and the nets, and he has to bowl 100 percent. If you are thinking that you will come and bowl just at 115-120 kph, I will not take that risk.”
Gambhir, who had scored a match-winning knock of 75 runs in the final of the T20 World Cup 2007 against Pakistan, added that Pandya’s poor form is a major concern for India.
“If I have to go with just five bowlers, then I will pick Ishan Kishan ahead of Hardik Pandya on current form. If you are going with five proper bowlers and six batsmen, Hardik’s form is probably a massive concern. Forget about the bowling, with the bat as well.”
India will play two warm-up matches against England and Australia respectively on October 18 and 20. The Virat Kohli-led team will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on 24th October.
