T20 World Cup 2021: When Hardik Pandya Doesn't Bowl, Team Combination Takes A Hit, Says Deep Dasgupta

Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta opined that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has to bowl if India needs to have a good team combination. Without Hardik contributing with the ball, India will have only five bowling options.

If any of the bowlers end up having a poor day, India could struggle in the tournament, as per Dasgupta. Hardik didn’t bowl in the second leg of the IPL 2021 season, and he also played as a specialist batsman only in the warmup match against England yesterday.

“Look, yes he can play as a pure batter to finish off the games. He has done that in the past for India. But the thing is, when he doesn’t bowl, the bowling attack takes a hit.“

“Then the team has to go with only a combination of 5 bowlers. And it can get difficult to go with only 5 bowling options. (One) Out of those would be Jadeja. 3 seamers are a must. That combination can get difficult if Hardik doesn’t bowl even a couple of overs,” Dasgupta said in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

Deep Dasgupta believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bad form is a growing concern

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a horrendous day with the ball against England. He conceded a whopping 54 runs in his quota of four overs, raising doubts over his form of late. With Shardul Thakur performing brilliantly in the T20 format, he could be brought in place of Bhuvneswar, feels Dasgupta.

“Bhuvi’s bad patch is becoming an extended bad patch now. Also, during the match, he didn’t look at the rhythm. Look, three seamers will play, and if Hardik doesn’t bowl, Shardul Thakur will definitely play. And in his current form, Shami is also a certainty,” Dasgupta added.

India defeated England by 6 wickets in the first warmup match yesterday in Dubai. They will square off against Australia tomorrow in the second and final warmup match.

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