Ahead of the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has pointed out the biggest headache for the Indian cricket team. Aakash feels that the Indian cricket team could find themselves in big trouble if Hardik Pandya didn’t bowl at all for the entire T20 World Cup 2021.
Hardik Pandya hasn’t bowled a single delivery in recent times and he also played as a specialist batsman while playing for Mumbai Indians in the just concluded 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. Infact, during India’s warm-up matches against England and Australia, fans were waiting for his return however, to everyone’s dismay Hardik Pandya didn’t bowl a single delivery.
Now seapking on his YouTube channel, Chopra talked about Pandya’s situationand agreed that it is the biggest headache for team India. He said:
“Hardik Pandya not bowling is a big concern because India will have to go in with only five bowlers and won’t have a sixth option. Virat Kohli might have to bowl, like in 2016. That is something that is going to hurt India. If Hardik can somehow start bowling a few overs, it will be very good for India. In T20s, you want that extra bowling option up you sleeve.”
The Indian cricketer team has two leg-spinners — Varun Chakravarthy and Rahul Chahar in their 15 member squad for the T20 World Cup 2021. Both the spinners don’t have a lot of experience in the international circuit. While Chahar has featured in one ODI and five T20Is, on the other hand, Varun has only played 3 T20Is.
Talking about how the inexperience of the two spinners could trouble the Indian cricket team. Aakash Chopra said:
“India will go in with at least one highly inexperienced spinner in most of the matches – Varun Chakravarthy or Rahul Chahar. They have hardly played any international cricket. So, I see that as a problem.”
Furthermore, the former Indian cricketer opined that he doesn’t see India’s experienced bowler Ravi ashwin being picked ahead of the two leggies. He said:
“I only see Ravichandran Ashwin playing if India go in with three spinners or there are too many left-handers in the opposition. (Ravindra) Jadeja will definitely play. He has grown in stature as a bowler but he is not your gun T20 bowler.”
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team will kickstart their campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 with a thrilling clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24th.
