Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has heaped praise on Hardik Pandya’s exceptional bowling display in the ongoing T20 World Cup, taking place in the USA and West Indies.
Notably, Hardik has been the leading wicket-taker for India in the marquee event, having claimed seven wickets from three matches at an average of 9.28 and an economy of 5.41.
The all-rounder returned with the figures of 3/27 against Ireland, followed by 2/24 against Pakistan and 2/14 against the USA.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan dissected Hardik’s success mantra on dry wickets and said that he will play a key role in the Caribbean with his cutters and bouncers.
“I think the kind of length he bowls, it’s perfect for dry conditions. Because he pitches the ball slightly on a shorter side but the line has to be in the stumps. If he does that, especially in pitches like West Indies where he can use those cutters and bowl those bouncers and hard lengths. It will be difficult to get away. That’s why him being in form as a bowler is very very important,” Pathan said.
Irfan Pathan also emphasized the importance of Hardik Pandya’s batting in the knockouts while adding that his bowling form will be crucial to pave the way for wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the Indian XI.
“Yes batting needs to come to the fore because there will be a time in the knockout games where his batting will be required. By that time, hopefully, he will get some runs which he’s not got so far. But him being in the form as a bowler is so crucial because by the time we go to West Indies, you might wanna get in Kuldeep and when you’re getting Kuldeep one of the fast bowler goes out. Three fast bowlers firing all cylinders will be really good for the Indian team,” he remarked.
Notably, Kuldeep hasn’t featured in the playing XI so far with the team going with a four-pronged seam attack in in New York. However, this combination is expected to change in the Super 8s considering the success of spinners in the West Indies.
India will begin their Super 8 campaign against Afghanistan on Thursday (June 20) in Barbados.
