Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra feels that Shardul Thakur hasn’t scored many runs in T20 cricket, which is why he can’t replace Hardik Pandya in Team India’s playing XI for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
Hardik Pandya's inability to bowl has become one of the major concerns for the Virat Kohli-led side. The all-rounder didn’t bowl a single over in the IPL 2021 and missed two games due to injury.
With Hardik not being fit to bowl, the BCCI was forced to add Shardul Thakur and omit Akshar Patel from the main squad as the former along with sensational bowling can contribute with the bat as well and can become a like to like replacement for Hardik.
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However, with Hardik most likely to play as a specialist batter in the team, many fans and pundits are of the opinion that Shardul Thakur could be drafted in given his heroics with the ball along with handy contributions with the bat can be crucial for Team India in the marquee tournament.
Aakash Chopra is against the idea as he feels that Shardul Thakur cannot replace Hardik Pandya in the playing XI as he cannot bat at No.6 and he hasn’t played a good knock with the bat for CSK in IPL as well.
“Shardul Thakur cannot play in place of Hardik Pandya. Where has he [Shardul] scored runs in T20s? For whom? He has not played a knock like that for CSK as well and let's be honest, we don't have an all-rounder.
"Shardul cannot bat at No.6 and No.7 is also too high for him if you keep Jaddu at No.6. We have only seen his run-scoring form in Test cricket. So Hardik is certain to play,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra suggested that Hardik Pandya being in the Indian XI is a necessity and not a luxury. He expressed hope that the all-rounder does well with the bat because India "doesn't have an option".
“It is not about form over reputation, it is just about what you have. So the expectation is, fingers crossed, that Hardik Pandya's bat fires and makes a lot of noise, but you don't have an option,” he said.
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Aakash Chopra said that he wants Shardul Thakur to play but in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He added that dropping Hardik Pandya from the playing XI will only disturb the balance of the team.
“I want to play Shardul but instead of Bhuvi. That's the competition that they are having, it is actually not a competition between Shardul and Hardik at all. The balance will be off if you drop Hardik and send everyone a slot up the order. You will get a sixth bowling option but the batting will shrink suddenly,” he said.
Team India will kick start their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan today, (24th October).
