SA vs IND 2018, 2nd Test: Is Hardik Pandya in Danger of Getting Dropped Despite Shining in Cape Town?

Former India batsman Aakash Chopra has urged the Indian team management to make some bold calls ahead of the second Test against South Africa to bounce back from the humiliating defeat in the first Test.

With the Cape Town pitch providing ample bounce and pace, the Indian batsmen struggled to put up a good show in both the innings, thus losing the game by 72 runs.

In the first innings, they were reeling at 92 for seven before Hardik Panyda’s 93-run knock helped them recover and post a respectable 209 in reply to South Africa’s 286. In the second innings, the bowlers had given India a great chance of winning the game by dismissing the hosts for just 130, but the batsmen once again failed to deliver, as the team was all out for a mere 135 while chasing 208.

With the series on the line, Chopra feels India should not shy away from taking big calls ahead of the penultimate game of the three-match series. In fact, the cricketer-turned-commentator insisted that India should mull dropping Hardik Pandya even if it draws widespread criticism to get an ideal team combination for the upcoming game.

“Pandya’s performance has given India this sweet headache, for leaving him out would invite wrath of the supporters and experts while playing him might mean compromising with the team combination that may be ideal for the pitch in Centurion, and what’s best suited for the team after the twin batting failure,” Chopra wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

“If the pitch is anywhere close to the one in Cape Town (there are enough reasons to believe that Centurion is very similar to Cape Town, if not a little more lively), it’s only pragmatic to play six proper batsmen,” he added.

Chopra went on to question the team management’s decision to include Shikhar Dhawan in the playing eleven for the first Test. Chopra believes KL Rahul is better equipped to handle pace and bounce and went on to say the team needs to make the call before the second game.

“While he’s (Dhawan) scored a lot of runs in all three formats since the Champions Trophy, the jury is out on his ability to play overseas,” he said.“It’s important to remember that any corrective measures taken after the second Test might have no bearing on the outcome of this series.”

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Catch India’s tour to South Africa here.

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