'Decent squad but another pacer could've been handy' - MSK Prasad on India's T20 WC squad

Since India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2021 was announced, there have been some questions being raised about a decision or two. However, one of the things which were quite noticeable and caught the attention of some experts was that only three were specialist fast-bowlers have been named in the squad, while Hardik Pandya is the seam-bowling all-rounder.

Former Indian selector MSK Prasad has expressed that having only three pacers can be an issue for India in the mega event. He noted that as India is going to play all their matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, having another pacer would have been a good move. Instead, India has picked five spin-bowling options, which include a few all-rounders. 

“It is a decent squad but I feel that they are one fast bowler short actually… because we are playing the majority of the matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so maybe one more fast bowler could have been handy,” Prasad was quoted as saying by Cricket.com. The former selector further noted that Hardik not bowling in the Indian Premier League raises some worries. 

Hardik Pandya has been picked as an all-rounder, not as a batsman: MSK Prasad 

“See, Hardik has been picked as an all-rounder, not as a batsman, he is seen an all-rounder, who will add that what you call balance to the side..(it is) a little surprising that, or I don’t know whether he is being instructed not to bowl or he is being preserved to bowl only in the World Cup,” he added. 

Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been named as the pacers in the side. Hardik has not bowled in a single game so far in the IPL but had bowled when he played against England and Sri Lanka  earlier this year. “We don’t exactly know, but in an ideal scenario, Hardik has been picked as an all-rounder, I would love to see him bowling,” Prasad said. 

There has been a lot of speculation and a lack of clarity in the Hardik Pandya bowling situation. He even missed a few matches for Mumbai Indians due to a niggle. Apart from him, India has Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur in the reserves, but they can come into the squad only if someone is injured. The selectors do have time till October 10 to finalize the squad.