India secured an important ODI win over the West Indies at the Port of Spain on Monday, July 25, with bowling all-rounder Axar Patel smashing an exhilarating unbeaten 35-ball 64 to help his team chase down a mighty total of 312 runs. It will be a matter of pride for head coach Rahul Dravid, who has now led India to a second consecutive ODI series win.
During the match, which was broadcast by FanCode, former head coach Ravi Shastri lamented the lack of a proper bowler who could cause damage and also bat in the top-6. Shastri was mainly referring to Hardik Pandya, whose return from injury and to form has immensely boosted India with both ball and bat.
“I have always wanted a guy who could bowl in top-6. And with Hardik getting injured, it became a massive problem. And it cost India. It cost India a couple of World Cups. Because we didn't have anyone who could bowl in the top six. So, that was a liability. We told the selectors, ‘look for someone’. But then, who is there?” Shastri said on FanCode.
Under Shastri's tenure, India rose up the ranks at a rapid pace, becoming one of the best Test-playing nations. Under his tutelage, India registered two series victories in Australia, reaching the first rank in the longest format of the game. But one thing that India failed to achieve under Shastri was a World title. While they lost in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) to New Zealand in 2021, the side also conceded a semifinal defeat in the 2019 ODI World Cup against the same opponent and were knocked out in the group stages of the T20 World Cup in 2021.
Meanwhile, Pandya had been plagued with a back injury since the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup and was troubled by the same for almost three years. He made himself unavailable for selection after the 2021 T20 World Cup, working on his recovery process, and eventually made a stellar comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier in 2022.
Thanks to his consistent performances for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL, both as an all-rounder and as a skipper, Pandya earned a recall to the national side, where he has been impressive whenever given a chance. The 28-year-old is currently a first-team regular across both white-ball formats for the side.
Hardik is currently rested for the three-match ODI series against West Indies but will return to the team for the T20Is.
