Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya Likely To Be Dropped From Indian Team For New Zealand T20Is - Reports

Star speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar and all-rounder Hardik Pandya are most likely to be dropped from the Indian team for the upcoming T20 Internationals series against New Zealand.

The Indian players have performed horribly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. India along with England entered the T20 World Cup 2021 as the top two favourites to win the championship. England has been performing brilliantly, however, this has not been the case with India.

Virat Kohli and co. lost the first match against arch-rivals Pakistan by 10 wickets and the second game against Kane Williamson-led New Zealand by 8 wickets. Now Indian team have to win the three upcoming games and depend on other teams to qualify for the semi-finals.

The two of the worst performers for India have been Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was dropped after the first match against Pakistan and Hardik Pandya who hasn’t done much with the bat and due to fitness issues is not bowling regularly for India.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya Likely To Be Dropped From Indian Team For New Zealand T20Is

If reports are to be believed, the BCCI selectors are not impressed with the performance of the team in the World Cup and they are set to make some big changes in the team for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Notably, the series is set to commence just three days after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 final on November 17. Also, the next T20 World Cup which will be played in Australia is less than a year away and selectors want some fresh faces for the next World Cup.

“It is expected that Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is in poor form, and Hardik Pandya, whose fitness remains an unresolved mystery, are likely to be dropped from the T20 squad against New Zealand,” claimed the report.

As per an article in Mint, Indian Premier League (IPL) top performers like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Avesh Khan are expected to get a call up for the New Zealand series. Also, Venkatesh Iyer who is considered as a potential Hardik Pandya replacement and pacer Umran Malik are being considered for the New Zealand series.

Also, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to make a comeback in the side and Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah who recently participated in the WTC final and subsequent 5-match Test series against England are expected to be given much-needed rest.

“Some of the proven IPL performers like Orange Cap holder Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of the top wicket-takers Avesh Khan, seasoned leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are going to be back in the mix as the likes of Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah get some much-needed rest,” it read further.

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