Former India cricketer Dilip Doshi has raised questions on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya’s spot in the playing XI, saying that they are in the team based on their reputation. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli & Co are likely to ring a few changes in the final XI for their game against New Zealand.

India’s struggle in the shortest format were out in the open after a 10-wicket drubbing against Pakistan on Sunday. They struggled to find the right balance as they were left with one bowler short with Hardik Pandya not bowling.

■■■■■■■■■■■□□□ LOADING@hardikpandya7 | #TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hlwtrGDfNR

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 28, 2021

Speaking on the same in an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, Dilip Doshi pointed out that Virat Kohli cannot afford to leave out a player of Ravichandran Ashwin’s calibre.

“It’s true that some people are playing based on their past reputation. Players like Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar haven’t performed to their full potential for some time now. Ravichandran Ashwin should play every game because he’s the world’s best spinner at present. You cannot afford to drop him,” Dilip Doshi said. 

Our top-order batters have struggled regularly against left-arm pacers – Dilip Doshi

The 73-year-old also added that the Indian top order has struggled on a regular basis against left-arm fast bowlers. Dilip Doshi further added that the batters lacked common sense against Pakistan.

“We were completely outplayed by Pakistan. They looked a far better side on that particular day. We have to understand why we weren’t effective. Our top-order batters have struggled regularly against left-arm pacers bowling over the wicket over the past few years. The techniques of our batters, barring Virat, were faulty. I would attribute the failure to a lack of application and common sense on the part of our batters,” Dilip Doshi concluded. 

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