Former India batter Wasim Jaffer reckons that the biggest challenge facing captain Hardik Pandya currently is to figure out a way to utilise the services of Axar Patel. The Indian all-rounder, who bowls left-arm orthodox spin, didn't bowl a single over in the second T20I match between India and West Indies. Onlookers and former India cricketers were surprised by Hardik's decision to not bring Axar into the attack throughout the game.
Not just Axar, Hardik's decision to not bowl out Yuzvendra Chahal's quota of four overs was even more surprising. In the last couple of matches, Hardik's decision-making has been severely scrutinised and rightly so.
Jaffer reckons that moving forward, Hardik will need to figure out a way to utilise Axar's services even though it is going to be challenging.
"That has been the problem with Axar Patel starting from his IPL franchise to the national team. Whenever a left-hander comes into the crease, it feels like he is not going to bowl. I can understand when Nicholas Pooran is on strike, but I thought when he and Shimron Hetmyer got out, I was surprised that he was not thrown the ball there. Obviously you had Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his final over and I was honestly surprised that he did not bowl," Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo.
"It is going to be a challenge for Hardik Pandya as to when and how to use Axar Patel. In the 1st T20I he bowled him in the powerplay. He got hit for a 6 and a 4 by Nicholas Pooran and that's a risk that you need to take," he added.
The Men in Blue are currently in a do-or-die situation after having lost the first two T20I matches of the series. Trailing 0-2, Hardik & Co. are staring down the barrel and need to win all three remaining matches in order to secure a series victory. India have enough ammunition and the players with plenty of experience being in adverse situations to stage a comeback into the series.
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