New Zealand vs India 2019: Virat Kohli Sheds Light On Impact Of Missing An All-Rounder

Just when things looked pretty comfortable for Indian National Cricket Team in the limited overs format of the game, the suspension of Hardik Pandya has made a major effect. He is one of the few talented all-rounders to be available in the ranks for the country but unfortunately was out of the team, which left the Indian team to look for other options. Meanwhile, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli makes his voice on the absence of an all-rounder.

The lack of Hardik Pandya in the team pushes Indians to go with Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI, who did a decent job. But, with overseas tracks mostly being supportive of a fast bowler, the presence of Jadeja wouldn’t aid them longer.

However, they have called-up Vijay Shankar to replace Hardik Pandya in the team, who is yet to get a perfect game to showcase his skills. The upcoming 5-match ODI series is going to be a platform for him, as Virat Kohli wants to test the balance.

The presence of all-rounder helps to get the balance – Virat Kohli

Speaking of the same, in the press conference, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli quoted that they want to look after their team balance and stressed the fact that they haven’t got the pool of all-rounders. He feels that the presence of an all-rounder will help them get an extra-option to form a team perfectly.

”To be honest, the bowling department depends on an all-rounder. The strongest sides in the world cricket have got 2 all-rounders, to say the least. Few got three as well. That gives you bowling options. Unless someone like Vijay Shankar or Hardik Pandya doesn’t play, going with three fast bowlers makes a sense,” Virat Kohli said.

”But, when you got an all-rounder bowling seam-up, there is no need for a bowler bowling 140 as the third bowler with the 2 other fast bowlers. As long as we have all-rounders in the side, it strikes the balance. Still, if you have an all-rounder, who is not firing than the situation demands to include another fast bowler. When you have fast bowling all-rounder, you won’t think about three fast bowlers,” Virat Kohli inferred.

Well, as Virat Kohli said, the presence of an all-rounder is a blessing for the team under any condition. It would be interesting to see how Indian team management would tune Vijay Shankar to deliver the goods for the team in absence of Hardik Pandya.