ICC World Cup 2023: Eoin Morgan Believes Hardik Pandya's Bowling Makes Team India Favourites In WC
Published - 16 Sep 2023, 05:38 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:18 AM
Former England skipper Eoin Morgan believes that the presence of a fully fit Hardik Pandya would make the Indian team the favourites to win the ODI World Cup 2023. Eoin Morgan emphasized the value of having a top-order batter with bowling skills in tournaments.
Hardik Pandya’s bowling performance has been impressive in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The right-arm pacer bowled at a pace of 140 kmph despite his previous injury concerns. He picked up three wickets with an average of 21.67 and an impressive economy rate of 3.61.
Hardik Pandya Has Bowled Really Well – Eoin Morgan
Speaking on Sky Sports, Eoin Morgan said that he was impressed with Hardik Pandya’s bowling in the ongoing continental tournament.
“The fitness level fo Hardik Pandya, his ability to bowl. He has bowl little bit in the Asia Cup so far but he has bowled really really well and there are very few sides in the tournament that would be a genuine contenders that will have somebody who bats in the tops six and and has the ability to bowl,” Morgan told Sky Sports.
Hardik will be next seen in action during the Asia Cup 2023 final against the Sri Lankan team, led by Dasun Shanaka, at the same venue on Sunday, September 17. He scored 92 runs in two innings at an average of 46 in the ongoing event.
There Bases Are Generally Covered – Eoin Morgan
The former England captain believes that Hardik Pandya can play a role similar to Ben Stokes for England. Morgan highlighted that Pandya’s ability to bowl and bat effectively in the top six could give India an edge.
“It’s the old Ben Stokes role that we have for years with England. Australia have the likes of Stoinis and Cameron Green but that role genuinely balances the side and over the course of the World Cup we will see various different pitches,” Morgan further added.
“Majority of the contending teams have spinners that bat really well. There bases are generally covered. But having Hardik Pandya fit and being able to bowl five and six overs of the quality bowling really does in my eyes make them probably favourite.”
The World Cup 2023 will be held in India between October 5 and November 19. The Rohit Sharma-led team will kick off their campaign by taking on Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8.
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Eoin Morgan Hardik Pandya ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team
