Parthiv Patel added that there is still some scope for improvement in Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. He added that the all-rounder wasn’t up to the mark with the bowling changes in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies as well. However, West Indies beat India 3-2 in the five-match T20I series by winning the fifth fixture by eight wickets on Sunday. Patel also stated that Pandya will have to get some runs under his belt ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Speaking to Cribuzz, Parthiv Patel explained: “Against Nicholas Pooran, he (Hardik Pandya) gave that over to Axar Patel and not bowling Yuzvendra Chahal. Bowling changes and the utilisation of the bowlers are something that tells me that Hardik, the captain for India, is still a work in progress. And there is obviously a little concern about his batting. He needs runs. He didn’t get runs in the IPL, he didn’t get runs in the last couple of series as well. India would want to get some runs for Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup or the series against Australia before the World Cup.”
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However, the loss to West Indies was Hardik Pandya’s maiden bilateral series loss as captain as well. He was also under the scanner for his batting form as well as he scored just 77 runs across four innings at an underwhelming strike rate of 110.00 as well. Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel applauded the left-arm spinner for his attacking approach against swashbuckling batter Nicholas Pooran in the T20I series as well.
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“He (Kuldeep Yadav) has been brilliant throughout this year. But in this series, he showed his attacking mindset, especially against Pooran. When he was going hammer and tongs against every bowler, he outfoxed him with an attacking mindset. He (Mukesh Kumar) was asked to bowl those difficult overs. It is not easy to bowl your first over in the 18th over and nail those yorkers time and again most consistently, Parthiv Patel concluded.
