IND vs SA: Aakash Chopra Throws His Opinion On India Not Going For An All-Rounder As Hardik Pandya's Replacement
Aakash Chopra has pointed out that India could have gone for a like-for-like replacement for Hardik Pandya but instead, they went ahead with a specialist seamer. Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after failing to recover in time from an injury that he got on his left ankle during the India Vs Bangladesh match. Prasidh Krishna has been named as Hardik’s replacement and this decision has raised a lot of questions in the minds of various experts and fans.
In a video on his YouTube Channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted the fact that India not going for the likes of Shivam Dube, Deepak Chahar, and Axar Patel, proves that they want to continue with three-pacers in the playing XI.
He explained, “Hardik Pandya is not there and Prasidh Krishna has come as his replacement. The question is Prasidh Krishna is a fast bowler and Hardik Pandya is an all-rounder. So India have decided that their three fast bowlers are doing well and they don’t want to go away from that philosophy, so they need a backup there.”
The former India opener added, “They could have probably thought about an all-rounder. They could have thought about Axar Patel, Shivam Dube or Deepak Chahar, but they didn’t think anything like that. They said they need a proper fast bowler as they have decided to go with three fast bowlers.”
India Do Not Have A Suitable Replacement For Hardik Pandya
The team management and Rohit Sharma replaced Shardul Thakur with Mohammed Shami in the playing XI, once Hardik was injured. Shami grabbed the opportunity with both hands and has wreaked havoc for the batters since his inclusion in the playing XI. Mohammed Shami has taken 14 wickets in three games with a stunning average of 6.71, so India will likely stick to the same combination with three frontline pacers.
Aakash Chopra also highlighted that Prasidh Krishna’s selection proves that India don’t have a suitable replacement for Hardik Pandya. He said, “The second thing Prasidh Krishna’s selection tells us is that there is no other player with Hardik Pandya’s skillsets in India. You didn’t try to go towards anyone. You said you will play with six batters, three fast bowlers and two spinners.”
The reputed cricket expert observed that the all-rounder from Baroda was expected to be indispensable in the tournament but destiny took his turn and he is now ruled out. He elaborated, “You might be a batter short but that’s your philosophy and that’s the formula of your success. It’s also true that when the tournament started we said that Hardik is irreplaceable – you can remove a batter or bowler but who will come in place of Hardik?”
Aakash Chopra added that fate was destined to be twisted for Hardik Pandya as he is the one to be replaced unfortunately. Hardik’s absence will definitely be a difficult pill to swallow for Team India. However, time will tell whether Hardik’s absence is a big loss or not.
Tagged:
Aakash Chopra Hardik Pandya ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 ICC World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team
