IND vs NZ 2026: Fans watching the recent games against New Zealand noticed a strange pattern from the Indian camp regarding their star all-rounder. Hardik Pandya is usually the guy the captain relies on for critical overs. However, he often avoided finishing his full four-over spell this time. This really makes you wonder about his actual physical condition.
Hardik Pandya’s Bowling Corundum
Spectators saw him handing the ball to others when the pressure was on. It looked a lot like the team management was trying to protect him from getting hurt worse. This whole situation left everyone guessing as the team prepares for the big games. People are starting to ask if he’s still a true all-rounder or just a batter who bowls a few occasional overs to fill in.
The stats from the series tell a worrying story. It’s more than just testing new tactics or managing his workload. The sudden elevation of Shivam Dube’s bowling workload suggests something deeper. It doesn’t look like a clever strategy; it looks like a desperate attempt to fix a major problem in the attack.
If Hardik Pandya had been 100% fit, he would have bowled the middle and death overs himself. Instead, he kept passing the job to Dube or Arshdeep Singh, even when the team needed his experience. This reliance on Dube suggests the management is scared Pandya’s back won’t hold up for a full spell. They seem to be searching desperately for extra overs from anywhere else.
This creates a huge problem for India’s tactics as they head into the big match against Pakistan. A half-fit Pandya makes the bowling attack much weaker. It leaves the captain stuck if one of the main bowlers starts going for runs. The team can’t afford to have a passenger in the bowling lineup against top teams, where every single over matters.
On top of that, the selectors chose Axar Patel as vice-captain instead of giving the job back to Hardik Pandya. That says a lot about how little they trust his fitness right now. It’s a move that shows they are worried about his long-term availability. By taking away his leadership role, the bosses have basically admitted they don’t think he can stay on the field consistently.
The Dube Situation:
Having Shivam Dube bowl crucial overs is a huge warning sign. It shows the captain doesn’t think Pandya can handle four overs of high-pressure bowling.
Tactical Problems:
Playing an all-rounder who can’t guarantee his full four-over quota messes up the whole team balance. It puts way too much pressure on the specialist bowlers to make up for his absence against aggressive batters.
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New Leadership:
Picking Axar Patel as deputy is the final proof. It confirms the higher-ups think Pandya’s fitness is just too unpredictable for a leadership role.
