Former India opener Virender Sehwag said that Hardik Pandya’s prowess as a batter will be crucial for the Virat Kohli-led team in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. India will lock horns with arch-rival Pakistan in their opening match in Dubai on Sunday.
India will lock horns with arch-rival Pakistan in their opening match in Dubai on Sunday.
Pandya underwent lower back surgery in 2019 and since then has bowled occasionally, raising questions if he can be played as a pure batter in the premier event.
“He’ll be on my team. The kind of batter he is, if he clicks, he’ll make the match one-sided, and finish it. He has the ability, which he has shown many times. Yes, if he was bowling fit, that would have been the icing on the cake,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
“His batting is surely a concern. If he’s not in form or not batting well in the nets, then you can maybe see another batter, otherwise, he’ll be my first pick,” he added.
Sehwag also insisted that India must go with a five frontline bowlers in every match.
“You should go with five bowlers plus if Hardik Pandya or someone else from the top-order bowls a few overs, it’ll be the perfect team for me,” he added.
India have a 12-0 record against Pakistan in T20 and 50-overs World Cups and they will hope to extend that streak in their tournament opener against their arch-rivals.
The match is a repeat of the 2007 final when India pipped Pakistan to the inaugural title after a heart-stopping match.
