Hardik Pandya needs to show some responsibility as a batter: Irfan Pathan

Form in T20 cricket changes too quickly. For Hardik Pandya, someone who bats in the difficult period in the middle overs and at the death, maintaining form with the bat can’t be an easy thing. But, the all-rounder has the ability to perform and contribute with the ball when he doesn’t do well with the bat. Unfortunately, in the ongoing IPL 2021 season, he has done neither, which has now made former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan criticize him. 

Pandya, who previously struggled with back issues has not bowled a single over in the IPL 2021. Mumbai Indians’ director of cricket Zaheer Khan revealed that it is a part of his workload management. Interestingly, he was seen bowling for the Indian national team ahead of the IPL, when he bowled a few spells during the ODI and T20I series against England.

Pandya didn’t bowl at all during the IPL 2020 and played as a proper batsman. In that season, the move worked for Mumbai as his form with the bat was good. But, so far in the IPL 2021, he has scored only 35 runs in four innings. Pathan’s comments came after Hardik got out for a duck against Delhi Capitals in Chennai on Tuesday. 

Hardik Pandya has struggled with the bat in Chennai so far in IPL 2021

Pathan took to Twitter expressing his views. He said that because Pandya is not bowling and also failing with the bat, it is hurting the Mumbai Indians badly. Mumbai has lost two and won two so far in the competition. Pathan with his tweet urged Pandya to take responsibility as a batsman. “If Hardik isn’t bowling and not scoring runs lately will hurt #Mi badly. He needs to show some responsibility as a batter,” Pathan tweeted. 

If hardik isn’t bowling and not scoring runs lately will hurt #Mi badly. He needs to show some responsibility as a batter.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 20, 2021

The poor batting form of the Baroda player could also be because of the moment when he has come out to bat during the four matches so far. They have played all their matches in Chennai, where batting towards the death overs has been very difficult for the batsmen. Pandya, who bats at no. 5 or no.6 has come out to bat only in those difficult phases. On Tuesday, he got out for a golden duck trying to hit his first ball for a six over long-on with a fielder there. Interestingly, Rohit Sharma got out the same way earlier in that over. 

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