Harsha Bhogle shields underfire Hardik Pandya in Test cricket

Hardik Pandya has strained a wee bit to find his form in India’s ongoing Test series against England. He didn’t have much to cheer in the opening Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s respectively. He scored 22 and 31 runs respectively in Birmingham and succumbed to the fast bowlers on both instances. At the Home of Cricket, yet another time, he miserably faltered with the willow.

The 24-year-old notched 26 and 11 runs in the match. Albeit he wasn’t quite up to the mark with the bat in hand, he was pretty decent with the red cherry and picked up three crucial wickets in the middle order. He got rid of Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, and Sam Curran and ended with figures of 17.1-0-66-3. The all-rounder was included for the third Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Harsha talks in favour of Pandya

Pandya’s lacklustre performances have attracted severe criticism from the supporters. Some of the experts also were disappointed by Pandya’s approach in white-clothing cricket on the cricket pitch. However, renowned presenter Harsha Bhogle defended the cricketer and mentioned that he has been one of India’s best batters in Test cricket on overseas soil.

Earlier this year, Pandya played a determined knock of 93 runs against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town to bail his team out from a horrendous position. Prior to that, he notched his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Bhogle, who is currently a commentator for Sony in the ongoing Test series, highlighted his performance compared to the other Indian batsmen.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “For all that is said about Pandya, he has scored more runs than any Indian batsman other than Kohli in the last 5 away tests. Not a lot but worth keeping in mind. By the way, no 3 is Ashwin!”.

Here is Bhogle’s tweet

For all that is said about Pandya, he has scored more runs than any Indian batsman other than Kohli in the last 5 away tests. Not a lot but worth keeping in mind. By the way, no 3 is Ashwin!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 18, 2018

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