IND Vs IRE: EX-India Opener Attacks Hardik Pandya's Recent T20I Performance As Finisher, Says 'He Is Third From Bottom In Terms Of Strike Rate'

Former India opener, Aakash Chopra attacked India T20I skipper, Hardik Pandya for his recent performance as a finisher in the T20I series and said that he is holding third-bottom place in terms of strike rate.

While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra pointed out Hardik Pandya’s stats for one year and said that he has played 25 matches and placed at number three in terms of strike rate after batting at number four or lower.

Chopra further said that there is a problem with Pandya since he has not been a hitter recently.

“If we see his stats as a batter also in T20Is from 15th August (2022) to 15th August (2023), he has played 25 matches, among those who have batted at No. 4 or lower, he is third from bottom in terms of strike rate. He has not done a lot of hitting there as well. So that is also a problem,” the 45-year-old on Hardik Pandya.

The former India opener attacked the 29-year-old and said that in just two-three instances where he scored more runs than the balls he played.

“The striking power has been seen slightly less. If you see his international numbers for the last little while, you will find that he hasn’t done any significant hitting. In the last 10 T20Is, you see only two or three instances where the runs are more than the balls, which is not a good story,” the 45-year-old added.

The 2022 IPL was brilliant: Aakash Chopra on Hardik Pandya’s IPL 2022 knock

Chopra accepted that Hardik Pandya had a stunning IPL 2022 season where his strike rate saw a sharp rise and was good with the bowl too. However, the former player said that his 2023 IPL season was ‘okay-okay’.

“The 2022 IPL was brilliant, where he hit very well, the strike rate was high, and the runs and wickets were also more. 2023 was an okay-okay IPL. The runs were also fewer, he picked up only three wickets and the strike rate wasn’t anything special either. His bowling economy was also 9.12 and the batting average was also okay-okay. He scored only two half-centuries whereas he had four fifties the year before that.” he further added.

Hardik Pandya faced a lot of criticism in the recent time after his side lost the five-match T20I series against West Indies by 3-2. India lost the two games but gained momentum in the third and fourth matches. However, the Men in Blues’ disappointing performance in the fifth T20I match cost them the series.

In the forthcoming days, India will take on Ireland in the three-match T20I series which will start from Friday (August 18). In India’s tour of Ireland, Jasprit Bumrah will be leading the Men in Blues.