3 Players Who Can Replace Hardik Pandya In The Indian Playing XI Against New Zealand
Published - 28 Oct 2021, 02:21 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:00 AM
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Indian All-rounder Hardik Pandya picked up an injury during the first game against Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and he could miss out on the game against New Zealand. Hardik hasn’t been in the best of forms off late and has been struggling to make runs. He scored 11 off 8 deliveries against Pakistan with two fours and was dismissed going for the big heave.
Hardik’s injury happened while he was batting out there in the crease and he was hit in the shoulders by a bouncer from Haris Rauf. After the Indian innings, he was taken for a scan and was later identified that he would be fit for the game against New Zealand with seven days gap.
However, India might start exploring other options as he isn’t bowling as well, and here are 3 players who can replace Hardik Pandya in the playing XI against New Zealand.
3 Players Who Can Replace Hardik Pandya In The Indian Playing XI Against New Zealand:
Shardul Thakur:
Shardul Thakur will be the best possible replacement for Hardik Pandya at the moment with his all-around abilities and he can be the wicket-taking option that India needs in the middle overs. India could not pick up a single wicket against Pakistan in the first game and that had a big effect on the way Pakistan dominated the game.
Thakur has the habit of picking up wickets despite him going for runs at times. If Thakur comes into the playing XI, then Jadeja should move up one place to number six and Thakur can bat at seven. This will also bring six bowling options into the fray despite the batting order not getting much weakened up.
R Ashwin:
India will not be playing any day games and hence the dew factor is going to make it hard to spin. Ashwin has been relying on more of a drift than turn in the limited-overs format and this could be helpful for him to bowl. He picked up two wickets in two balls against Australia and gives India an option with the new ball. The fact that he can bat at seven also makes him a contender to replace Hardik.
Ishan Kishan:
Ishan Kishan has been the man in form for the Indian side in recent times and he has taken off from where he left in the last few games of IPL 2021. He scored a fluent 70 off just 46 balls in the first warm-up game against England and did not get a chance with the bat after that. However, if he can come in at number four, it will open up a lot of options for the back end of the innings.
Ishan Kishan is more like a pocket dynamo with an excellent ability to hit the big sixes at will. His consistency level has gone up in the last few games, and his inclusion could give Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant, the finishing duties. This will also keep the five bowler theory going on with Virat Kohli as the sixth option.
