Former India batter Aakash Chopra has raised questions over Hardik Pandya’s batting form as India prepares for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023 tournaments. Chopra focused on how Hardik Pandya’s hitting prowess has reduced in recent times.
Pandya, who is seen as the next India white-ball captain, was at the helm when India lost to West Indies in the recent T20I series. This was the first time Men in Blue lost a five-match T20I series and Hardik Pandya’s confused decision making, coupled with his poor batting form were under the microscope.
Chopra said over the last 25 matches, Pandya has not done a lot of hitting. Pandya scored 77 runs in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
“If we see his stats as a batter also in T20Is from 15th August (2022) to 15th August (2023), he has played 25 matches, among those who have batted at No. 4 or lower, he is third from bottom in terms of strike rate. He has not done a lot of hitting there well. So that is also a problem,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
The former India opener further highlights how Pandya’s strike rate has dropped in his last 10 matches. The all-rounder was criticized for his 18-ball 14 runs as India lost the T20I series decider against West Indies by eight wickets.
“The striking power has been seen slightly less. If you see his international numbers for the last little while, you will find that he hasn't done any significant hitting. In the last 10 T20Is, you see only two or three instances where the runs are more than the balls, which is not a good story,” Chopra added.
Speaking about Pandya’s IPL form, Chopra said the Gujarat Titans skipper’s strike rate wasn’t anything special in the 2023 edition. Pandya scored 346 runs in 16 matches in IPL 2023, at a strike rate of 136.76.
“The 2022 IPL was brilliant, where he hit very well, the strike rate was high, and the runs and wickets were also more. 2023 was an okay-okay IPL. The runs were also fewer, he picked up only three wickets and the strike rate wasn't anything special either,” said Chopra.
Hardik is expected to be part of India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad which begins on August 30.
