India vs England: ‘If Hardik Pandya only wants to play as batsman, his performance must be assessed accordingly,’ says Virender Sehwag


India vs England: ‘If Hardik Pandya only wants to play as batsman, his performance must be assessed accordingly,’ says Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag and Hardik Pandya

Former cricketer Virender Sehwag slammed team India’s workload management during the ongoing limited-overs series against England. He cited Virat Kohli’s statement on not using Hardik Pandya as the sixth bowling option in the ODIs. Kolhi had said the side wants Pandya 100 per cent fit for the away tour of England scheduled later this year.

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Sehwag said that Hardik Pandya didn’t play the Test matches and bowled just four overs spells in T20Is. He mentioned the all-rounder could have bowled short spells in ODIs as well as he did in the shortest format. 

“At least to make a change, Hardik Pandya could have been given a spell of 3-4 overs. I don’t understand if he can bowl four overs in T20I cricket, then why cannot he do the same in ODI cricket,” Sehwag asked on Cricbuzz.

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“If there are no overs in Hardik Pandya’s workload, then I feel something is wrong. Kohli said that workload management is being done for all bowlers including Pandya. But it cannot be so that he does not bowl a single over. Fielding for 50 overs is also tiring, so if he bowls four-five overs in between, it would not increase the workload much. I don’t know who decides that Pandya’s workload has increased. Because since he has returned from surgery, he has not played much cricket,” Sehwag said.

‘Am disappointed that Pandya did not bowl a single over’: Sehwag

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya

The 42-year old expressed his disappointment on Hardik Pandya not bowling even a single over during two ODI matches. He went on to say that if Hardik is playing as a pure batsman, then his performance must be assessed accordingly. Sehwag also mentioned that Pandya’s absence in the bowling department hampers team balance as he’s the sixth bowler of the side.

“If he only wants to play as a batsman, then say that he will only play as a batsman in ODI cricket, so then his performance will be assessed accordingly. Because as an allrounder you sometimes get an advantage, that if you are unable to perform with the bat on one day, then you performed with the ball.

“Or vice-versa. But if he is not going to ball, then he will only be assessed as a batsman. So, I am a little disappointed that Pandya did not bowl a single over. If he is fit, he can bowl four overs in T20Is, so he could have bowled a couple of overs. If he had got a breakthrough, it would have helped the team,” he added.

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