Former Team India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has slammed the team management for not using all-rounder Hardik Pandya to the fullest in the ongoing series against England. With two defeats in the first three T20Is against Eoin Morgan & his boys, the Indian cricket team has had plenty of questions to answer before the fourth T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 18 (Thursday).
The ace all-rounder has had a relatively mild series so far getting it difficult to get going with the bat. Hardik Pandya had also found it difficult to get settled in the first T20I and managed only 17 runs off 15 balls in the death overs in the third outing which is quite opposite to what he is capable of.
Hardik Pandya not batting in his ideal position – Ajay Jadeja
According to the former batsman Ajay Jadeja, Pandya coming at no.7 was too late as only the fast-bowlers who had bowled well were the ones who had overs left. As a result, Hardik Pandya has found it difficult to get going and hit those massive sixes he is known for.
Also Read
India To Play Two T20I Series Before T20 World Cup – Reports
“I feel some players are not playing in their ideal positions. For example, I am a big fan of how Hardik Pandya plays his game. When he came out to bat, look at the England bowlers who had overs left. Archer, Wood, and an over or two of someone else,” said Jadeja to Cricbuzz.
Ajay Jadeja further pointed out that Hardik Pandya’s batting strength would have been effective if he was facing any of the weaker bowlers when he came out to bat. He said that it is important that the Indian team analyses which batter can get maximum returns against which bowler and they should pack the batting order accordingly.
Incidentally, Hardik Pandya had batted at No.6 during the tour of Australia in the limited-overs series. He had played some match-winning knocks in both the ODIs and T20Is. But, in the second and third T20I against England, India decided to go in with only four bowlers, which meant Pandya was pushed down the order to no.7.
Also Read
India’s Predicted Playing XI For 4th T20I vs England
“There is no team who has five frontline bowlers. You will always have one bowler who’s slightly weaker than the others. India needs to understand which batsman will give them the maximum returns when they come up against a particular bowler,” said Ajay Jadeja during the show.
