Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya‘s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup hinges on his bowling performance in the remaining matches of the IPL. During a recent meeting between head coach Rahul Dravid, selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, and captain Rohit Sharma, a key point of discussion was the need for a seam-bowling all-rounder for the World Cup, to be held in the USA and West Indies.
Pandya’s Struggles Raise Concerns
Pandya’s IPL season has been far from ideal. He has faced criticism from fans unhappy with his captaincy of the Mumbai Indians and his overall performance with both bat and ball. Notably, he was smashed for three consecutive sixes by MS Dhoni in the final over of the CSK innings, raising further questions about his form.
While India possesses a strong batting line-up, Pandya’s role as an all-rounder is crucial for adding balance to the team. Since his comeback during the IPL, Pandya has only bowled in four out of six matches. His bowling economy rate sits at a concerning 12.00, and he has managed just three wickets.
Challenges with Pace and Variation
One of Pandya’s strengths has traditionally been his ability to exploit the back of the length and extract bounce from the pitch. However, the lack of swing on offer this season has limited his impact with the new ball. Additionally, his reliance on stock deliveries instead of cutters with the old ball has made him predictable, as demonstrated by Dhoni’s six-hitting spree.
Pandya’s struggles extend to the middle overs, where batsmen target weaker links in the bowling attack. He has conceded over 10 runs in most of his middle-over spells throughout the IPL.
Shivam Dube: A Potential Alternative?
Given Pandya’s inconsistent form, the selectors are reportedly considering Shivam Dube as a potential alternative. Dube, a left-hander, possesses the ability to take down spinners and has shown improvement against pacers this season. His power-hitting provides a unique advantage in the middle order. However, his limited bowling opportunities with CSK raise concerns about his effectiveness as a full-time bowling option.
With a dearth of other seam-bowling all-rounders ready to make the jump to international cricket, India is heavily reliant on Pandya regaining his form. A fit and firing Pandya, who can bowl his full quota of overs, offers significant value to the team by providing both batting depth and multiple bowling options.
The selectors’ concerns stem from Pandya’s lack of recent form and the inconsistency in his bowling utilization. This situation echoes the 2023 ODI World Cup, where Pandya’s mid-tournament injury significantly impacted India’s performance.
The upcoming T20 World Cup presents a crucial opportunity for India to end their ICC title drought, which stretches back to 2013. With the first-ever major cricket tournament in the USA set to take centre stage, the BCCI has already begun preparations, sending officials to scout locations and facilities. Whether Hardik Pandya can be the X-factor India needs to lift the trophy remains to be seen, and his performance in the remaining IPL matches will be a key determinant in his selection.
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