Former India player turned renowned commentator Aakash Chopra said that swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant should try and bat till the last over as their all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been struggling in recent times. Chopra, however, said that while Pandya is a very good batsman.
Notably, India will play against New Zealand in a must-win match in the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai on Sunday. With Pakistan standing at the top of Group 2, India and New Zealand game will be crucial as well.
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While talking about that, Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel:
“Let’s be honest, Hardik is not in form. We are all expecting that he will hit form. But so far he hasn’t displayed any good form. Rishabh Pant should be there right till the 20th over. If you look at the way he bats, you don’t have a better option than him in the death overs. There is Suryakumar Yadav, but he is a top-order batter, who opens up after getting set. For obvious reasons, he doesn’t get to bat in the top-order. So Pant is India’s X-factor and must bat till the very end.”
“Rishabh Pant needs to bat till the end” – Aakash Chopra
However, Rishabh Pant had played a quickfire knock of 39 off 30 balls to steady India’s innings against Pakistan after the loss of three early wickets as well. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya was dismissed for 11.
“One batter from the top three needs to be there till the 15th over and one at least till the 8th or 10th over mark. At least one from Kohli, Rohit and Rahul must be out in the middle till the 15th over. That’s your ideal thing, where you only lose one wicket early, two batters stay till the 10th over and, even from them, one must stay till the 15th. And then, of course, Pant needs to bat till the end,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
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