T20 World Cup 2021: Aakash Chopra Feels Hardik Pandya Should Have Been Promoted Ahead Of Rishabh Pant To Regain His Form

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra felt that the situation against England was ideal for Hardik Pandya to be promoted to number four and get some runs in his bank ahead of the Super 12 stages. Hardik has been struggling to find his best touch yet with the bat, and the fact that he isn’t bowling makes it even worse.

He has been designated the finisher in the side at number six, but he hasn’t been getting runs, which will worry the Indian management. He also struggled in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians, but he still is a match-winner when it comes to shorter formats. India started off their warm-up fixture against England with a comfortable win as Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul blasted off with quickfire half-centuries.

“Once Again A Story Which Is Unfinished” – Aakash Chopra On Hardik

Aakash Chopra mentioned that India should have sent Suryakumar Yadav or Hardik Pandya above Rishabh Pant at a stage when the required rate is manageable. Both of those players have struggled for runs in recent years times. He added that despite Hardik Pandya finishing unbeaten, it wasn’t a convincing inning, and he did edge a few deliveries making his form incomplete yet.

“There was a big question in my mind that when Ishan was batting well, why did you send Rishabh Pant. End of the day, Surya made 8 runs off 9 balls. Neither the form came nor went. You don’t know what really happened. Hardik Pandya, the shots he played, all balls were not hitting the middle of the bat, and once again a story which is unfinished,” Aakash revealed on his YouTube Channel.

Aakash Chopra Doesn’t See The Necessity Of Rishabh Pant At 4

Rishabh Pant came into bat at number four, and he remained unbeaten until the end with 29 off 14 balls. However, the need of the hour was to concentrate on Suryakumar Yadav’s form, and Hardik Pandya’s struggled with the bat, which Aakash Chopra highlighted on his youtube channel. He added that Pant has been in good form of late, and he could have been sent down the order.

“You did not have a need to send Rishabh Pant there. You could have sent Suryakumar Yadav and then Hardik Pandya so that both of them would have got some game time. Rishabh Pant had scored runs just now in the IPL as well,” he added.

India will next play against Australia in the second warm-up game tomorrow afternoon.

Also Read – Parthiv Patel Feels Hardik Might Not Bowl Anytime Soon, Opens Up On Struggling Bhuvneshwar Kumar