With the rain reducing the match to 8 overs per side in the 2nd T20I, the team management decided to drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar in favour of Rishabh Pant. At the post-match press conference, Dinesh Karthik explained the logic behind the decision and the big role Hardik Pandya plays in it.
“We only needed four bowlers today. Unlike before, you can bowl two overs each, so only four bowlers were required to finish eight overs. We had five options. When you have five options, that’s the luxury of having an all-rounder like Hardik.
“When Hardik plays, then it gets balanced very well. We can play an extra batter or a bowler. That’s the luxury you have and that’s what makes him so special. There are very few players in world cricket with such abilities and that’s where India are blessed. If he does well, it’s always great for Indian cricket,” said Karthik.
Hardik isn’t the only all-rounder in the Indian team at present. Even Axar Patel has the ability to do serious damage with the bat. Though the opportunities have been limited for Axar, Karthik is happy with the performances the spin-bowling allrounder has managed to produce.
“Axar Patel also coming good with the bat at different points will help India because that helps in the balance of eleven. When you make an eleven, you think an extra batter can play and we all know Rishabh Pant’s quality as a batter and he would’ve been useful in this game.”
