Parthiv Patel listed out two worries for India after their seven-wicket win over England in the warm-up game. Parthiv Patel said Hardik Pandya not bowling and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s lackluster show with the ball is a major concern for Team India.
Openers KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan hammered scintillating fifties after Mohammed Shami’s three-wicket burst as India registered a seven-wicket win over England in their first warm-up match of the ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai on Monday.
Parthiv Patel Doesn’t Think Hardik Pandya Is Going To Bowl In Initial Matches And Is Worried About Bhuvneshwar Kumar
However, despite their convincing win, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel pointed out two worries for India. All-rounder Hardik Pandya didn’t bowl, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for 54/0 in his quota of four overs.
“I don’t think Hardik is going to bowl in the first few games looking at the way Virat Kohli has used only five bowlers,” said Parthiv Patel during the mid-innings interval.
“Yes, I’m worried about Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He looks in the kind of form which he had in the IPL, where he took just six wickets, but yeah, he looked out of rhythm, almost as if didn’t practice. We might just see Shardul Thakur in the next game. It might be a combination that we might see,” Parthiv added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar who conceded 54 runs in four overs in India’s first warm-up clash against England before the T20I World Cup, may not be picked for the mega clash against Pakistan as Shardul Thakur’s chances to play against Pakistan have increased. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a massive haul of 142 wickets in 132 IPL games averaging 25.26, which is much better than his IPL 2021 bowling average- an extremely poor 55.83 picking only 6 scalps in 11 games.
Hardik Pandya has played 49 T20Is and has averaged below 20 with the bat despite a strike rate of 145, amassing 484 runs in 49 matches. He has also taken 42 scalps averaging 26.45. As a finisher in the 2021 T20I World Cup, he would certainly look forward to amending his batting average and bowling a few overs, trying to pick crucial wickets.
Ishan Kishan And KL Rahul’s Opening Partnership Saw India To Cruise To A 7 Wicket Game In Warm-Up Fixture Against England
Ishan Kishan smashed an unbeaten 46-ball 70, while KL Rahul (51 off 24) and Rishabh Pant (29 off 14) also chipped in as India chased down 188 runs with six balls to spare.
Earlier, Jonny Bairstow smashed a 36-ball 49 and Moeen Ali hit a whirlwind 20-ball 43 to help England post 188 for 5 after being sent in to bat. For India, besides Mohammed Shami (3/40), fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah (1/26) and spinner Rahul Chahar (1/43) were also among the wickets.
While Ishan Kishan smashed 70 off 46 balls, KL Rahul made a blazing 51 off 24. The duo featured in an opening stand of 82 in 8.2 overs as India chased down a target of 189 with ease, winning the clash by seven wickets.