Dilip Doshi urged the Indian team management to include players on current form in their playing XI instead of picking cricketers on past reputation like in the case of Hardik Pandya.
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Former Indian cricketer Dilip Doshi believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya and fast-bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar are simply being included in the lineup for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 encounters, due to past reputation. Doshi urged the team management to include Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur in the playing XI for the upcoming games instead. Pandya flopped with the bat, scoring just 11 runs from 8 balls, in India’s defeat against Pakistan. Bhuvneshwar conceded 25 runs from his 3 overs during the same encounter.
“It’s true that some people are playing based on their past reputation. Players like Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar haven’t performed to their full potential for some time now. (Ravichandran) Ashwin should play every game because he’s the world’s best spinner at present. You cannot afford to drop him,” said Doshi in an interview with Sportskeeda.
“Hardik Pandya has outstanding potential and needs to focus on his ability to perform with consistency. By bowling in the 130 km speed zone, Bhuvi is unable to put pressure. Shardul should definitely play because he has been in good touch of late and is an outstanding cricketer. Deepak Chahar, too, deserved a place in the squad. I also feel Jadeja’s bowling has gone down over the past few years. He is an outstanding cricketer but needs to reflect and improve his bowling to play to his full potential,” he added.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that including Ishan Kishan instead of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, makes no sense. This certainly makes sense considering the wave of criticism that is thrown at cricketers without reason when it comes to the Indian team.
“This narrative is bound to continue. When you look at Hardik Pandya and see he is not bowling you are bound to feel whether he actually fits into the team. The question isn’t wrong. In 2021 he hasn’t scored many runs and also missed a few games as well. But I will consider his performance against Pakistan. How can you judge a class player like Hardik based on just eight balls? But it’s a fact that he hasn’t made an impact with the bat this year. And when he is not bowling, India completely go out of balance because you only have five bowling options then,” said Chopra on his Youtube channel.
“But Ishan in place of Hardik? No. Because if he does replace Hardik, he will have to open for India alongside Rohit. Then Rahul at No.4, Pant at No.5 and Suryakumar at No.6? Does it really make sense? If one defeat leads to such a big change then it only shows that we do not believe our selection process. Ishan’s inclusion will completely change India’s selection philosophy. India can although, make changes in their bowling attack. I feel India should continue with Hardik for the New Zealand game and Ishan will have to wait for his opportunity,” he added.
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