Former India opener Virender Sehwag heaped praise on Hardik Pandya and put his weight behind the all-rounder’s inclusion in the playing XI against Pakistan. Team India will re-ignite their rivalry with Pakistan on Sunday t20 world cup Clash the Men in Blue are facing a lot of trouble in their camp with a squad full of quality players who have done extremely well in the warm-up clashes. Meanwhile, there are still a lot of uncertainties about Hardik’s inclusion in the playing XI due to his bowling fitness.
Sehwag, who was one of the most destructive players of his era, backed Hardik to find a place in the XI as a pure batsman for his ability to win matches on his own.
“He would be in my team. The kind of batsman he is, if he clicks, he will make the match one-sided and finish. He has the ability, which he has shown many times. Yes, if he was fit he would Would have been bowling, that would have been on the cake,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
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The veteran opener further said that the Indian team should go with five front-line bowlers and if any top-order player can get in the middle in a couple of overs, it will be the right balance.
“You should go with five bowlers and if Hardik Pandya or someone else in the top order bowls a few overs, it will be the perfect team for me,” he added.
Hardik has not bowled a single over in the IPL 2021 and T20 WC warm-up clash which could jeopardize his position in the final. However, Sehwag said that if he is batting well in the nets, then the flamboyant all-rounder will be his first choice.
Read also | ‘He’s getting better’: Virat Kohli gives big update on Hardik Pandya’s bowling against Pakistan
“His batting is definitely a matter of concern. If he is not in form or is not batting well in the nets, you can probably see another batsman, otherwise, he will be my first choice,” he said.
The high-octane clash will mark the start of India and Pakistan’s campaign in the 2021 T20 World Cup and both will be looking to start it on a high to set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Interestingly, Team India has maintained an unbeaten 5 match streak over Pakistan in T20 World Cup matches and they will only look to carry it forward on Sunday.
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