Former Indian cricketer Subramanian Badrinath believes that Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be a key miss for the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in the remaining games of the ODI World Cup, as concerns loom over his further participation in the league stage of the tournament.
The presence of two all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya, eased Rohit’s workload in the marquee event, but the fast-bowling all-rounder would not be available for the game against England and the date of his return has not yet been confirmed, which could be a cause of concern for the Indian team management heading into the business end of the ODI World Cup.
Speaking on Star Sports, Subramanian Badrinath said that Rohit Sharma could feel the absence of his primary all-rounder Hardik Pandya going forward and wants the team management to play an extra bowler in his place, stating that he couldn’t see Shardul Thakur completing his quota of full overs.
“See Hardik is a big miss because let’s be honest he’s the key player who provides the balance for Rohit and Team India.
“But I personally will be looking to play a bowler, be it Shami or Ashwin it doesn’t matter, because I want a bowler in there who can bowl 10 overs because I don’t see Shardul bowling 10 overs match on match because that will be difficult.
“So, the comfort was there when Hardik was behind him, but since he is not, I will go with a bowler,” Subramanian Badrinath said.
For the game against New Zealand, India opted to go in five bowlers, as Suryakumar Yadav replaced Hardik Pandya in that finisher role, but the Men in Blue chased down the total without any initial hiccups in the match in Dharamsala.
You Can’t Pay The Price For Playing Too Good Cricket – Subramanian Badrinath
Subramanian Badrinath also highlighted the fact that the Men in Blue’s middle order was not being tested in the tournament with the top-order batters putting up a fine show to take the team home in the first five encounters of the World Cup and reminded the Indian team’s 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
“See it’s a fact that India’s middle order has not been tested, but it’s not a matter of concern, because India has been dominating and the top order is getting runs so can’t call it a concern, but a fact.
“But these things happen in sport, you can’t pay the price for playing too good cricket. I hope the 2019 demons don’t come and haunt India, that’s my only worry,” Subramanian Badrinath added.
The primary players responsible for India’s success in this World Cup thus far are captain Rohit Sharma, quick bowler Jasprit Bumrah, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and talisman Virat Kohli and other players would look to step up for the team, when provided an chance in the forthcoming games.
