Cricket

Asia Cup 2022: Expecting 4 overs from Hardik is not correct, he can’t be your 5th bowler: Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s Test specialist batter Cheteshwar Pujara reckons expecting four overs from Hardik Pandya is not correct and feels the all-rounder can’t be the team’s fifth bowler. Pandya had done a fine job in the team’s opening game of the Asia Cup 2022 against Pakistan.

The right-arm pacer scalped three wickets and conceded only 25 runs in his quota of four overs. Pandya was then rested for the match against Hong Kong but he leaked 44 runs in the four overs he bowled against Pakistan in the Super Four contest.

As Avesh Khan was suffering from fever and Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out with a knee injury, India was playing with only five bowlers, including Hardik Pandya. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma decided not to give the ball to Deepak Hooda, who had played against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has been bowling well in the recent past and he is consistently bowling around 140 km/h.

“Hardik has been bowling well, but we can’t consider him a fifth bowler. I think expecting four overs from him every time is not correct. However, we didn’t have enough choices because Avesh Khan was ill. In the future, there might be a few changes in the team, and if Hardik continues to play the role of the sixth bowler, it would be better,” Pujara noted during an interaction on ESPNCricinfo.

On the other hand, Pujara believes the partnership between Rizwan and Nawaz made all the difference. Rizwan scored 71 whereas Nawaz scored 20-ball 42 as the duo added 73 runs together for the third wicket. Pujara lauded the team management’s decision to promote Mohammad Nawaz in the batting order.

“I think Pakistan played very well, especially Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz’s promotion in the batting order. He played with a good strike rate which played an X-factor for Pakistan. Our bowling could have been better, but I feel that we could have scored 15-20 more runs on this wicket. It was 190-200 wickets. We didn’t bat well during the middle overs,” the India batter added.
India will take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Dubai.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Stuart Broad picks two Indians among the next Fab Four amid Asia Cup 2025

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has picked Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal among the… Read More

September 23, 2025

India outplayed Pakistan in all three departments, says Wasim Akram after Super 4 clash in Asia Cup

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram admitted that India outplayed Pakistan in all three departments of… Read More

September 23, 2025

Ravichandran Ashwin says Abhishek Sharma will carry Yuvraj Singh’s legacy forward after Super 4 clash win against Pakistan

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Abhishek Sharma and said the youngster will carry his… Read More

September 23, 2025

Navjot Singh Sidhu backs Abhishek Sharma to be groomed as all-format opener after Super 4 clash against Pakistan

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has backed Abhishek Sharma to be groomed as all-format… Read More

September 23, 2025

India vs Pakistan isn’t a rivalry anymore, says Suryakumar Yadav after Super 4 clash win

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said India vs Pakistan isn’t a rivalry anymore after the Men… Read More

September 23, 2025

Sanjay Manjrekar says there is a big gap between India and Pakistan after Asia Cup Super 4 clash

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons there is a gulf between the standards of India… Read More

September 23, 2025