Former Pakistan cricketer-turned-commentator Ramiz Raja on Thursday (March 18) said Hardik Pandya’s “failures and his lack of big-hitting” has pushed the entire Indian cricket team into a “whirlpool” in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England at home.
Being an all-rounder, the 27-year-old Pandya’s presence provides crucial balance to Team India. He made a fine comeback from injury on the Australia tour but only as a specialist batsman.
However, the all-rounder has been given the responsibility of bowling four overs in the ongoing T20 series against England and he has done his job well but isn’t as effective as he used to be with the bat.
The right-hander was asked to bat at No. 7 and No.8 in the last two T20Is against England and he could manage only 17 runs off 15 balls in the third T20I while 19 runs off 21 balls in the second T20I.
Reacting to Pandya’s poor form, Raja said England has done its homework against the hard-hitter and their bowlers have found his weak spot and they kept him by bowling to him at that spot.
Raja said on his YouTube channel, “Similarly, Hardik Pandya’s bat is not working. England are bowling throat balls against him. They know they can’t afford to bowl full to him or make him face spin.”
The former captain further noted, “So they are sticking to short of good length and Pandya is appearing ungainly while trying to go for the big shots. We don’t expect him to score 17 off 20 balls. He usually takes off from there and flattens the opposition. Because of his failures, his lack of big-hitting, the entire team has been pushed into a whirlpool.”
He also said Rishabh Pant should be more responsible with the bat and should not give his wicket away once he gets 15-20 runs and give away his wicket after being set on the crease.
Raja signed off by saying, “Rishabh Pant is getting out after scoring 15-20 runs. He should not be getting out after being set.”
(With India Today Inputs)
