Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has downplayed concerns regarding all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s fitness, explaining that his limited bowling in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa is due to match conditions and team balance.
In the second T20I at Mullanpur on December 11, South Africa defeated India by 51 runs, posting 213-4 and then dismissing India for 162 to level the five-match series 1-1. This series also marks Pandya’s return to international cricket following a short break after an injury sustained during the Asia Cup earlier this year.
The 32-year-old has yet to bowl his full quota of four overs in either match, delivering two in Cuttack and three in Mullanpur. When asked if this was related to Pandya’s fitness, Ryan Ten Doeschate clarified:
“It’s got nothing to do with where he’s at physically. We are very happy with where he’s at physically. In the Asia Cup, he was taking the new ball. Obviously, the combination there was different. We were playing three spinners and two out-and-out seamers. For this series and the conditions we are facing, we are playing two seamers who are obviously going to take the new ball.”
“Surya Knew Axar Could Be Dangerous” – Ten Doeschate
In the second T20I, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh started the bowling for India, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel handled the final two overs of the powerplay. Chakaravarthy struck with his very first delivery, whereas Axar conceded 12 runs in his first over. When asked why the spinners were introduced before Hardik Pandya, Ten Doeschate explained:
“Varun’s been very good at the backend of powerplays. In Cuttack and here tonight, Surya had a hunch that Axar could be dangerous in the powerplay. It’s nice to know we have an extra option. We’ve now got four guys who can bowl in the powerplay. Hardik has bowled nicely and smartly in both the games.”
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