India captain Hardik Pandya is finding it difficult to utilize Akshar Patel properly, opined former India opener Wasim Jaffer ahead of the third T20I against West Indies in Guyana on August 8, 2023.
This came after Hardik Pandya didn’t give a single over to the Gujarat all-rounder in the second T20I which India lost by 2 wickets despite having the game in their grasp for most of the time. Now 0-2 down in the five-match T20I series, India is facing some tough questions.
Hardik Pandya was criticized by all quarters for his decision-making skills as he used his pacers when the hosts had been reduced to 129/8 in 16 overs, giving the tailenders a chance to use the pace to get back in the game and win the match.
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer has pointed out that Hardik Pandya might not have fancied Akshar against the left-handed duo of Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer.
"That has been the problem with Axar Patel starting from his IPL franchise to the national team. Whenever a left-hander comes into the crease, it feels like he is not going to bowl. I can understand when Nicholas Pooran is on strike, but I thought when he and Shimron Hetmyer got out, I was surprised that he had not thrown the ball there. Obviously you had Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his final over and I was honestly surprised that he did not bowl," Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo.
Jaffer further added that it was going to be a challenge for Hardik Pandya to manage his bowler in the rest of the series.
"It is going to be a challenge for Hardik Pandya as to when and how to use Axar Patel. In the 1st T20I, he bowled him in the powerplay. He got hit for a 6 and a 4 by Nicholas Pooran and that's a risk that you need to take," Jaffer added.
Though Ishan Kishan scored 27 runs in the second T20I and Shubman Gill has failed in both matches, Jaffer still opined that India needed to replace Kishan with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top for much-needed aggression.
“We know that Ishan Kishan has struggled in the T20 internationals, so give him a break. He might come back stronger when he plays next.
I would pick Yashasvi Jaiswal without a doubt just because he brings that fearlessness. He plays spin well and his batting against fast bowling is exemplary. He’s right at the peak of his game, and high on confidence, so why not throw him in the mix and see what you get? He’s got runs in Tests and he’s looking for an opportunity. You might get a breath of fresh air like you did with Tilak Varma, so why not?,” Jaffer concluded.
The third T20I will be played in Guyana on August 8, 2023, and the last two matches will be played in Florida on August 12 and 13.
