India has a problem with their sixth bowler, they've got some decisions to make: Brad Haddin

With Hardik Pandya not bowling his quota of overs, India has been dealing with the problem of the sixth bowling option. Several cricket experts and former cricketers have expressed their thoughts on this. The latest to join the list is the former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Ever since Pandya has come back from his back injury, he hasn’t bowled a lot of overs. He featured in the playing XI against Pakistan in India’s opening fixture of the T20 World Cup. He did not bowl in the game and was unable to make a greater impact with the bat as well. The management might thus need to put their thinking hats on the sixth bowling alternative for the next encounter.

India has a dominating record against Pakistan in ICC events. The Men in Green however broke India’s 12 match winning streak in World Cups and registered a thumping victory. Now that India’s next assignment is against the Kane Williamson-led side, Haddin feels that the Virat Kohli-led side might need to think about including an all-rounder in the side for the next game and that might lead them to bench Pandya.

 Interesting problem they have is the sixth bowler: Brad Haddin

“Interesting problem they have is the sixth bowler. Hardik Pandya is not bowling. Now, will they start to doubt what’s been successful for them for a long period of time? Do they have to bring an all-rounder in to cover that sixth bowling option? So, they have got some decisions to make,” Haddin said as quoted by India Today.

India will lock horns with New Zealand for their second fixture of the mega event. Thus, Shardul Thakur is one alternative for the Men in Blue for the match against the Black Caps. The pacer has been in impressive form lately. In the recently concluded Indian Premier League, Thakur finished as the highest wicket-taker for Chennai Super Kings. He scalped 21 wickets from 16 matches in the tournament.

This match against the Kiwis will be an important encounter for both teams. Both India and New Zealand lost their previous games to Pakistan and will head into this contest with the aim of dominating the proceedings. A defeat will hamper both sides’ chances of advancing to the semi-finals.