The last time Hardik Pandya played an international game for Team India, the all-rounder failed to complete his full quote of overs. (More Cricket News)
Pandya failed to scalp a single wicket and leaked 32 runs at an economy of 10.70 in the recently concluded West Indies T20I series. With the World Cup around the corner, Pandya surely will take the deputy role alongside Rohit Sharma but his quiet series in the Caribbean raises few concerns.
With two major tourneys this year - the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 - a lot is expected from Pandya, the batter and bowler.
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India already received a major boost in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, who is set to lead the fast-bowling attack in the upcoming marquee events. So the question remains - whether Hardik can deliver the goods as well? Former Indian cricketer turned pundit Sanjay Manjrekar feels the bowling of Pandya has become a concern in the lead-up to the ICC event.
“Hardik Pandya’s form is a little bit of concern, his bowling because you will have to do a lot of physical work in the world Cup because you need him as the all-rounder not just a batter so at least 6-7 over per innings is what is expected from him. When India won the world cup in 2011, it was because of people like Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh pure batters who bowled a bit, so Hardik Pandya’s bowling is very important,” Manjrekar was quoted whilst speaking on Star Sports' Follow The Blues.
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Pandya led the T20I side against the West Indies in the absence of Rohit Sharma. However, he could not avert a series defeat at the hands of the Men from the Caribbean. Pandya's batting was also a major letdown in the series as the all-rounder scored 14 runs in 18 balls in the series decider in Florida.
The Indian vice-captain amassed 77 runs in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies. Despite doing very little, the 29-year-old will hope to turn things around as the star all-rounder heads to the Asia Cup 2023.
