ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Brad Haddin feels India might have to think about including an all-rounder in their playing XI for their next game which might force Virat Kohli to bench Hardik Pandya.
Hardik Pandya won’t be bowling any time soon due to his recurring back injury (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTSIndia will face New Zealand in their second match of the T20 World Cup on Oct. 31A defeat for either side on Sunday will hamper their chances of making it to the semi-finalsIndia suffered their first-ever World Cup defeat vs Pakistan in their opening game on Oct. 24
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin feels India have a problem of plenty regarding the sixth bowling option and the team management will need to find out a way to solve it before they face New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday.
India had Hardik Pandya in the playing XI in their opening game against Pakistan which they eventually lost by 10 wickets in Dubai last Sunday. It was India’s first defeat in a World Cup match against Pakistan and their heaviest loss while defending a total in T20I cricket.
Pandya flopped with the bat in that game, scoring just 11 runs and did not bowl due to a recurring back injury which has plagued him for quite some time now. On top of that, Pandya also picked up a shoulder injury during the match and remains a doubt for the next game on October 31.
Haddin therefore, feels India might have to think about including an all-rounder in their playing XI which force Kohli to bench Pandya.
“Interesting problem they have is the sixth bowler. Hardik Pandya is not bowling. Now, will they start to doubt what’s been successful for them for a long period of time.
“Do they have to bring an all-rounder in to cover that sixth bowling option. So, they have got some decisions to make,” Haddin stated on Fox Cricket.
Shardul Thakur is an option which India might consider for their next game. The fast-bowling all-rounder was in superb form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 and was one of Chennai Super Kings’ top performing players in their victorious campaign.
A defeat for either side on Sunday will hamper their chances of making it to the semi-finals as both India and New Zealand lost their opening games against Pakistan.
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