IND Vs SL 2021: Aakash Chopra Calls For Hardik Pandya To Be Utilized Better

Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra opined that the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya should be utilized in a lot better way than in the first ODI against Sri Lanka. Hardik Pandya could bowl just the five overs in the game which was split into two in his first spell and three in the death overs.

India cruised to victory in the first ODI with 7 wickets left and 80 balls to go after a blistering start from Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan at the top. Sri Lanka had no answers to the Indian dominance and it never looked like the second-string Indian side. Shikhar Dhawan played a captain’s knock on debut and took India past the line comfortably.

“You Should Try To Get 7-8 Overs From Him” – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra wanted the management to use Hardik Pandya in a more effective and efficient manner to prepare him for the T20 Worldcup. He mentioned that Deepak Chahar should have bowled in the final overs while Hardik should have been given the ball lot earlier so that he could have bowled a couple of overs in addition. He added that it was the only possible way to know Hardik’s bowling form.

“Hardik Pandya to be utilized better. He didn’t get to bowl at the right time in the last match. You need to bowl Deepak Chahar in the last 4-5 overs and bowl Hardik before that. You should try to get 7-8 overs from him. Then you will come to know if Hardik as a bowler is getting there.”

Aakash Chopra Wishes For India To Bat First

Aakash Chopra wished that India could bat first in the next ODI which will be a difficult task setting up the score and it will also test the bowling strength. He noted about having full 50 overs to bat might get an opportunity to see any youngster making a century and also with the team total going above 300. He added that it will be a chance for the Indian youngsters to express more.

“India should get to bat first. My greed is that if you get to bat first, you will get the full 50 overs, someone can score 100-150 runs and India can post a total of 325-330 runs. Our batsmen will get more time to express themselves,” added Aakash Chopra.

Hardik Pandya’s bowling form is going to be very crucial to India’s plans in the T20 Worldcup and hence he must start adding some more overs in his quota.