Former India cricketer Dilip Doshi has raised questions on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya’s place in India’s playing XI in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
He alleged that Bhuvneshwar and Pandya were only picked in the T20 World Cup 2021 squad and are playing purely based on their reputation.
The former spinner also suggested that Team India should not be benching R Ashwin while slamming out of form Hardik and Kumar’s selection in playing XI against Pakistan in their opening game in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
Doshi told Sportskeeda in an interview: “It’s true that some people are playing based on their past reputation. Players like Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar haven’t performed to their full potential for some time now.”
He also mentioned that Virat Kohli cannot afford to leave out a player of Ashwin’s caliber in the T20 World Cup 2021. He added, “(Ravichandran) Ashwin should play every game because he’s the world’s best spinner at present. You cannot afford to drop him.”
While Ravindra Jadeja’s batting has been impressive lately, but the former spinner feels the left-arm spinner should improve his bowling to play to his full potential as an all-rounder.
He added, “I also feel Jadeja’s bowling has gone down over the past few years. He is an outstanding cricketer but needs to reflect and improve his bowling to play to his full potential.”
The 73-year-old also named Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar as suitable replacements for Pandya and Bhuvneshwar. However, he said Hardik has outstanding potential, but he must perform consistently.
Doshi signed off by saying, “Hardik Pandya has outstanding potential and needs to focus on his ability to perform with consistency. By bowling in the 130 km speed zone, Bhuvi is unable to put pressure. Shardul should definitely play because he has been in good touch of late and is an outstanding cricketer. Deepak Chahar, too, deserved a place in the squad.”
