India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has revealed that Hardik Pandya wants to play all the games and he wouldn’t be rested in the upcoming clash against the Netherlands. Pandya played a key role in India’s thrilling four-wicket win against Pakistan at the MCG on Sunday.
The right-arm pacer scalped three wickets and conceded only 30 runs in his four overs quota. Subsequently, he scored 40 runs off 37 balls and added a crucial alliance of 113 runs off 78 balls with Virat Kohli to get India back into the contest after they were reeling at 31-4.
Meanwhile, Hardik was rested against Hong Kong in the Asia Cup in order to manage his workload but he is expected to turn up against the Netherlands.
“Hardik wants to play all the games. And we are not looking at who to rest, there is no such thought about any player. Hardik is a very important player for us. He adds a lot of balance – he is both bowling and batting. Other than that, his attitude on the field is of note.
“As you saw in the last match, he played a crucial inning. Yes, Virat finished it off, but to recognize the fact that the pressure will shift to the opposition if the game goes deep, you need experience. So, much of Virat’s performance’s credit should be given to Hardik as well,” Paras Mhambrey told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
The all-rounder was right on the money with the ball and did a fine job as a sixth bowling option after Axar Patel was taken for 21 runs in the solitary over he bowled against Pakistan.
When asked if India can play with five bowlers, including Hardik Pandya, Mhambrey reckons it will depend on the situation and opposition.
“That will totally depend on the conditions that we play. It’s good that Hardik does give you that four-over option, and that’s what we wanted. He brings a lot of balance to the team. And he’s also been very effective for us. He’s picked up wickets and that’s very important for us. But having said that, getting a batter in or playing a different combination will purely depend on the team that we are playing and also on the conditions,” he explained.
On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin was picked ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal and Mhambrey revealed that the off-spinner can contribute with the bat. Ashwin had scored the match-winning runs as he kept his nerves to hit the ball over the mid-off fielder.
“Firstly, we are going to look at match-ups. We look at the batting combination of the teams we are playing. You do your own homework – which players are struggling, which type of bowlers their batters are struggling against. So that is one aspect. The other thing which works in favor of Ashwin is that he can contribute with the bat. So we will look at both these things.
“When you choose Ashwin, you look at what he brings to the team in terms of balance and composition. But every venue poses a different challenge, every wicket will be different, and we might have to alter our combination looking at that particular wicket. If need be, we can even play four or even five seamers. And we are quite fluid on that front,” the former India pacer elaborated.
India will lock horns against the Netherlands on Thursday at the SCG.
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