During the Star Sports Press Room show “Ticket to World Cup,” cricket commentator and expert Irfan Pathan advised against relying too heavily on Hardik Pandya within the Indian cricket team.
Pathan stressed the need for Indian cricket to avoid overemphasizing Pandya’s role, particularly given the team’s lack of success in World Cup tournaments.
He pointed out that despite being considered a key all-rounder, Pandya has yet to leave a significant mark on the international stage.
Pathan urged Indian cricket to prioritize teamwork over individual performances, drawing parallels to Australia’s team-centric approach.
He cautioned against conflating Pandya’s performances in the IPL with his performances at the international level.
Pathan also expressed concerns about India’s performance in the T20 World Cup, particularly in terms of finishing and fast bowling.
He highlighted the inconsistency of potential finishers like Ravindra Jadeja and the seam bowlers apart from Jasprit Bumrah.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth chimed in on the selection of a bowling all-rounder for the World Cup squad, advocating for both Jadeja and Axar Patel as valuable assets.
While Jadeja’s experience and ability to win matches favor his inclusion in the starting lineup, Axar Patel’s skills also make him a valuable option.
Another cricket commentator and expert, Tom Moody, discussed the dilemma between Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube as fast bowling all-rounders.
Moody recognized Pandya’s potential and his ability to maintain the team’s balance but expressed concerns about his fitness and consistency.
He suggested considering Dube as a slightly riskier option while acknowledging the significance of Pandya’s role in the team’s equilibrium.
