IND vs WI: Make Three Different Teams: Salman Butt Reacts To Hardik Pandya's Old Comments As India Struggle Against West Indies

Published - 10 Aug 2023, 02:13 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya [PC: Twitter]

Team India’s struggle in the ODI and the T20Is against West Indies has very much highlighted the fact that the team is still not ready to deliver in the absence of big names.

In the absence of key players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and others, the inexperienced team has been far from impressive. During the ODI series, the team struggled to chase down a modest 114 and lost five wickets in doing so. In the second game when Rohit and Kohli were rested, the Men in Blue were all out for just 181.

Even in the first two T20Is, India’s performance was poor as they lost both games. In the first game, the Hardik Pandya-led side failed to chase down 149 and lost the game by 4 runs before failing to defend 152 in the second game.

And as the Indian team continues to struggle in the absence of big names. an old comment from Hardik Pandya has started doing the rounds once again. In 2021, the outspoken allrounder raised a number of eyebrows by claiming that India could field two more teams and can win any competition in the world. His comments came when India toured Sri Lanka in 2021.

“The kind of talent which the Indian team possesses right now, I think we can pick two more teams and win any competition in the world,” Hardik Pandya had said.

Salman Butt reacts to Hardik Pandya’s comments:

Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has also reacted to Hardik Pandya’s old comments. The former cricketer reminded Hardik of the importance of having quality and experienced players in the team. He stated that the quality of the team is not the same without experienced players.

“It’s not an ideal combination when their key players are not playing. If Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma are not playing, if their experienced players are missing, it’s not the same thing.

They say they can make three different teams. Yes, talent pool and exposure is there, but the quality without their key players shows that the team cannot perform at the same level. Senior players carry their weight, their experience makes a difference on opposition as well,” said Salman Butt.

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