Michael Clarke says Hardik Pandya was significantly missed in 1st ODI against Australia

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke reckons India deeply missed the services of their talismanic all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the opening ODI against Australia. Pandya has not been picked for the white-ball series against Australia after he suffered a niggle in the Asia Cup.

The all-rounder had also missed the final clash against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the continental tournament. In the absence of Pandya, seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy made his ODI debut against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth, on Sunday.

Michael Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket podcast, “His bowling, if he’s fully fit, is so important to India, whether it’s T20, ODI or if he was still playing Tests. So he was significantly missed in the opening game. His power-hitting in the middle, the bowling and his attitude as well, that take on the Australian attitude, he’s always played that brand of cricket.”

On the other hand, Pandya last played a Test match against England in 2018. After suffering a back injury, he said his body is not ready for the adversities of red-ball cricket. Clarke added he wished Pandya was still playing the multi-day format for India.

“I wish Hardik was still playing Test cricket. I just think he’s the genuine bowling all-rounder,” said Clarke (via the aforementioned source).

The 2015 World Cup-winning captain added that India also missed the services of their gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the opening ODI against Australia.

“First and foremost, they missed Bumrah. You add someone with Bumrah’s class at 145+ on that pitch, though I still feel they didn’t make enough runs, but with Bumrah, it’s a very different attack,” he stated.

The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.