"Hardik Pandya Doesn't Have To Be A MS Dhoni": Ex-India Opener's Blunt Take On Noise Over Tilak Varma Missing 50

12.08.2023 - 04:29 sports.ndtv.com

Hardik Pandya, India's skipper for the T20I series against West Indies, received a lot of flak on social media for 'denying' young gun Tilak Varma a shot at scoring half-century in the third T20I against West Indies.

With Varma batting on 49*, Pandya, who was at the strike, hit a six to finish the match and take India home in the must-win game.

Though India romped home comfortably, Pandya was called selfish for the act. India again face West Indies in the fourth T20I on Saturday.

While analysing India's chances, former opener Aakash Chopra touched upon the 'Tilak Varma topic' and also brought in MS Dhoni's reference. "It's an interesting one.

cricket India Cricket Team West Indies Cricket Team MS Dhoni 2023 on Hardik Pandya Aakash Chopra Tilak Varma South Africa India

Hardik Pandya will be a crucial cog in the wheel for India at the Asia Cup and the World Cup. His role will be important in the India vs Pakistan clash that is schedule to be held on September 2. While India have many options in bowling and batting department, Pandya's replacement is hard to find. He is one of the best fast bowling allrounders in the world. Simply put, he provides a balance to the team unlike any other player. So, when India get down to action against Pakistan, Pandya's performance.

"Where Is The Hardik Pandya That...": India's World Cup-winning Star Raises Concerns Over All-Rounder's Form

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023, starting August 30th. The squad announcement saw the returns of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, with young batter Tilak Varma receiving his maiden call-up. Rohit Sharma will lead the team during the tournament, while Hardik Pandya will deputise him. Former India all-rounder Madan Lal, however, expressed concerns over Hardik's form, despite admitting that the Gujarat Titans captain could be India's next skipper.

Hardik Pandya's Form Concerns Ex-India Star Ahead Of World Cup, Drops Yuvraj Singh Reference

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has raised doubts over Hardik Pandya's role in the team for the World Cup. Manjrekar feels Hardik, who has been rested for the ongoing T20I series against Ireland, would need to contribute with both bat and ball to increase India's chances of winning the marquee event. To further back his claim, Manjrekar pointed out how Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina chipped in with crucial contributions with both bat and ball during India's World Cup triumph in 2011.

India's Asia Cup 2023 Squad: Jasprit Bumrah, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul - Big Names In Fray

Indian cricket team's Asia Cup 2023 squad is most likely to be announced on Monday. Several reports have claimed that the BCCI selectors will meet Team India captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid to decide on the final squad for the Asia Cup, which begins on August 30. India's first match is against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 in Sri Lanka. The Asia Cup squad holds extra importance as it will more or less give an idea about what the squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 will look like.

Indian Cricket Team Captain Hardik Pandya Said "Let Nicholas Pooran Hit Me". West Indies Star Responds

Down 0-2 in the T20I series against West Indies, India started their comeback by beating the hosts in the 3rd T20I. The key to the Indian team's success was the fact that West Indies' hard-hitter Nicholas Pooran had failed to fire in the match. After the game, India skipper Hardik Pandya even issued a challenge to Pooran, saying he is hoping the Windies stalwart comes hard at him in the next game. Pooran has finally 'responded' to the challenge.

Indian Cricket Team Captain Hardik Pandya "Work In Progress", Batter Pandya 'Needs Runs': Ex-Star Raises Concerns

After India's 3-2 loss to West indies in the recently-concluded T20I series, former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel opined that captain Hardik Pandya is "still a work in progress". Brandon King's superb unbeaten 85 led West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India in the series-deciding fifth T20I on Sunday. Set a target of 166 to win the final game, in Lauderhill, Florida, West Indies reached their target with two overs to spare with Nicholas Pooran scoring 47 in a partnership of 107 with King. The win was a morale-booster for West Indies cricket after the one-day team failed, last month, to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.