ICC World Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya Is ‘VVIP Cog’ For Indian Team - Aakash Chopra

Cricket commentator Aakash Chopra feels that Hardik Pandya is a vital cog in the Indian team for ICC World Cup 2023. Aakash Chopra also added that no one can provide the balance that Hardik Pandya gives to the Indian team.

Hardik Pandya is a medium-pace all-rounder. With his ability to bowl medium pace, he acts as the fourth seamer in the playing XI. Moreover, with his hard-hitting batting style, he is also a crucial addition to the batting department. Unfortunately, India only have one powerful player like him at the moment.

Also Read: IND vs IRE: Hardik Pandya Loses India’s Captaincy, New Captain To Be Announced Soon

Hardik Pandya Is A Very, Very Important Cog In India’s Scheme Of Things: Aakash Chopra

While speaking on his YouTube channel, former India opener Aakash Chopra said that Hardik Pandya is a very very important tool in India’s scheme of things.

“The balance Hardik Pandya provides, unfortunately, no one will be able to do that because whether it is Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav or anyone else, no one bowls. So Pandya is a very, very important cog in India’s scheme of things”, Chopra said.

Also Read: IND vs IRE: India Might Rest Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill For T20Is vs Ireland – Reports

Aakash Chopra, who played for India from 2003-2004, also feels that Hardik Pandya should be the no.6 batter for the Indian team during ICC World Cup 2023. He also added if the right-arm seamer can bowl in the tournament, he will be taken into the team straight away. However, if he’s not able to bowl, there will be concerns about his addition to the team.

“I will say Hardik at No. 6 because your story at four, five and six looks solid. There are no question marks over Hardik’s availability. The only question over Hardik is how much bowling fit he is. If he is bowling, [he] walks into the team any which way.”

“However, if he is not bowling, there is a concern about who will be the sixth bowling option. You can play five bowlers after the No. 6, but you need a sixth bowling option,” the 45-year-old further said.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023: “KL Rahul Can Keep Wickets And Bat Down The Order, Which Probably The Others Can’t Do” – Aakash Chopra

ICC ODI World Cup 2023 commences on October 5. India is the host of the tournament. A total of 10 teams are part of the tournament. In the last three editions, the home team won the trophy.

Hence, this makes India one of the top favorites to win the tournament. India won the ODI World Cup in 2011. England are the defending champions of the ICC World Cup 2023. They won the last edition in 2019.