T20 World Cup 2021: Risky Expecting Hardik Pandya To Perform After Two Days Of Bowling Practice - Ajit Agarkar

Former Indian quick bowler Ajit Agarkar reckoned that Team India should think twice before playing all-rounder Hardik Pandya in tonight’s crucial Super 12 tie against New Zealand. Agarkar felt that Hardik hasn’t bowled long enough to be given the responsibility of filling the sixth bowler slot.

The Indian team management has a lot of headaches regarding their team combination heading into a do-or-die match. Few players are woefully out of form, while a player as important as Hardik isn’t fully fit to give his 100 percent. In this situation, it would be risky to play him, as per Agarkar.

“Yes, we did see Hardik in the nets. But he hasn’t bowled in the last couple of months. And as a bowler, I know how difficult it is to come and bowl during a match. So I feel this shouldn’t happen where a bowler isn’t fully fit and that costs you the game. And the bowler won’t be at fault here,” Agarkar said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

There’s a question mark as to how much Hardik can deliver as a bowler – Ajit Agarkar

The other teams in the tournament have plenty of options in their bowling attack. As for India, it’s stuck at a hard five, with the skipper, Virat Kohli, himself trying to get into the groove and bowl a couple of overs. Although it may have worked out in the warmup match, the situation changes when it’s a virtual knockout game.

“So it will be a risky option expecting the bowler, who has been out for so many months, to perform after only two days of practice. That will surely not be my sixth bowling option hence India are likely to play with just five bowlers.“

“Maybe if Kohli bowls one or two overs in between then that would be the best possible solution for India as of now. There is a question mark now how much Hardik can deliver as a bowler,” Agarkar added.

Team India and the Black Caps both lost their opening matches to Pakistan and are now desperate to get their tournament on track before it’s too late.

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