IND vs WI: Yuzvendra Chahal Draws Parallels Between MS Dhoni And Hardik Pandya's Leadership Abilities
Published - 06 Aug 2023, 01:50 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM
Veteran Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal lauded T20I skipper Hardik Pandya for his leadership abilities, stating that he gives the bowlers the freedom to set their own fields. Yuzvendra Chahal drew a comparison with legendary skipper MS Dhoni while praising Hardik Pandya.
Hardik Pandya has been leading the Men in Blue since their semifinal loss in the T20 World Cup 2022. The all-rounder has led the national team in 12 matches in T20Is, guiding the team to eight victories. The team lost three matches, and one match had no result under his captaincy.
Badey Bhai They Mahi Bhai – Yuzvendra Chahal
When asked about spearheading the bowling attack under Pandya’s leadership, Yuzvendra Chahal said that the team dynamics remain consistent regardless of the captain.
“I see it this way – You have four brothers in your family. Badey bhai they Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni – the eldest brother), then came Virat, Rohit and now Hardik. The equation remains the same,” Chahal told reporters.
“Nothing changes. On the ground, everyone wants their team to win. He gives us freedom as a bowler. The same freedom we used to receive, Hardik is giving us now. We (bowlers) can set our own field,” he added.
Pandya is the deputy to regular captain Rohit Sharma in both white-ball formats. However, Rohit hasn’t played a T20I game for India since the last T20 World Cup in Australia.
Hardik Pandya Is A Go-To Bowler – Yuzvendra Chahal
Spinner Chahal highlighted that Pandya is India’s go-to bowler in the limited-overs format and provides his input if the plan doesn’t work.
“Even Hardik is a go-to bowler; if the plan doesn’t work, he provides his own input. So there are not any wholesome changes when it comes to leadership. The bowler (At Team India) always receives the freedom he needs from his captain,” he concluded.
Hardik Pandya picked up one wicket and conceded just 27 runs in his four-over spell in the first T20I at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on August 3. The right-arm pacer has grabbed 70 scalps in T20Is, making him India’s fifth-highest wicket-taker.
