Experts critical of Hardik Pandya after a poor show in the warm-up game

Hardik Pandya is one of the few seam bowling all-rounders the country has produced. India have always been without a genuine fast bowling all-rounder. However, they seem to have found one in Pandya. India will look to use him cleverly during the upcoming Champions Trophy.

He was handed over the new ball ahead of Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first warm-up game and there have been many opinions coming in from the experts in India stating that Hardik is more of a first change or a middle overs bowler. Mostly the experts were of the opinion that his natural short of length bowling won’t work in England and he needs to reassess something as quickly as possible.

Some of the experts were talking to the press when they gave their opinion on Pandya and India’s bowling in general.

Deep Dasgupta

Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta stated that Hardik is not a specialist fast bowler but if he bowls a bit fuller Dasgupta does not mind him bowling with the new ball. He also said that the Baroda allrounder is not someone who completes his 10 overs so bowling him in the powerplay might be the plan.

“It is clear that only one among Ashwin or Jadeja will be playing as two spinners will be a luxury. With five fielders inside the circle, your fifth bowler has to be a seamer all-rounder. I don’t mind Hardik being given the new ball first up if he can get it a bit fuller. But in any case, he has not regularly got 10 overs as his role is not that of a specialist fast bowler,” Dasgupta opined.

Vijay Dahiya

Another Indian wicketkeeper thinks that Hardik is in the team to bowl those 4 or 5 overs and bat positively at number 7. That is what he is in the team for according to Dhahiya. The former KKR coach said that he wants Jasprit Bumrah as the first change with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami taking the new ball.

“I don’t see Hardik getting a new ball. He is a certainty in the side as playing four fast bowlers would mean a long tail. He is your ideal No 7 batsman but you can use him for 4-6 overs depending on the situation. His big-hitting abilities and positive mindset is required,” he said.

“The current Indian team is blessed to have four quality limited overs bowler. My new ball choice would be Shami and Bhuvneshwar. Jasprit is fantastic as one change as he has great control with the semi-new ball (considering two new balls used),” Dahiya added.

Madan Lal

Madan Lal believes that Hardik needs to bowl fuller. He was critical of him after the warm up game claiming that the allrounder needs to use his brain and bowl. Lal wants Umesh Yadav to open the bowling as he bowls 140 plus and Hardik seldom goes beyond 140.

Lal said, “They are the ones who bowl the ideal fuller length deliveries and can get it to swing both sides. Umesh bowls at 140 plus and these two have the ability to take big wickets – an absolute must in big-ticket tournaments.”

Madan also opined that Hardik naturally bowls short and that won’t work in England. Though he feels Hardik has the speed and the attitude of the fast bowler.

“His natural length is short and that he has to quickly alter in England. If he bowls the kind of short pitched stuff he bowled today, batsmen will punish him. He has the pace, the built and attitude of a fast bowler. But till now the little I have seen of him, he needs to use a bit of brain and be more consistent,” Madan Lal explained.