One of the biggest Achilles Heels of the current Indian team is the fact that none of the top-order batters can roll their arms. Apart from Hardik Pandya, all the batters are specialists and they can’t contribute with the ball, which leads to the downfall of the team, especially in the T20I format.
India has been giving some chances to Deepak Hooda, who has the skills to hit the ground running and he can also bowl a few overs. Hooda played in the second T20I against New Zealand. Though the right-hander was dismissed for a golden duck, he made a vital contribution with the ball.
The off-spinner scalped four wickets and conceded only 10 runs in the 2.5 overs he bowled. Hooda took three wickets in his final over and bowled a fine spell. India’s interim captain Hardik Pandya also revealed that the plan is to make more batters contribute with the ball.
Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel feels the team needs to give Hooda more overs so that he can build his confidence.
Speaking during a discussion on Cricbuzz, the former India stumper said: “If someone has the ability to bowl, the only way you can find it out is by giving him those overs in international games. That’s exactly what Hardik Pandya did with Hooda.
“We know that Hooda got into the World Cup squad because of his ability to bowl. But he did not bowl in the single game that he played. It was not needed, but you’ve got to give him some overs to see whether he is good enough to give you those couple of overs or at least one over.”
India was able to skittle out New Zealand for only 126 runs and came up with a fine collective bowling effort. Patel added that the team was aggressive and they were thinking of taking wickets.
“They are thinking aggressive, thinking wickets. This is something which is so important in T20 format. It’s great to see we are going ahead, thinking ahead.”
Patel wants Umran Malik to be included in the team’s playing XI in the third T20I in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
“I would like to see Umran Malik having a go at New Zealand batters. They are a quality side. The other question is – do you see Bhuvneshwar Kumar playing the 2024 T20 World Cup? If you are trying to build a team for that World Cup, this is a right step – Umran getting a game.”
The third game will be played on Tuesday in Napier.
