Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya have been requested to be sent up the order by Aakash Chopra in order for the duo to have a nice hit in the middle.
Therefore, In their second and final warm-up encounter. Before the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup India takes against Australia. Before facing arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament opener on October 24. The Virat Kohli-led team will try to iron out any remaining flaws.
Aakash Chopra expressed his desire for Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya to be given more overs to bat in the India-Australia match.
“You need people in the form to finish games off and for that, I request with folded hands to send them both [Surya and Hardik] up the order. You wasted a chance in the last match and you won’t get this chance every time.” He explained
Therefore, The cricketer-turned-commentator reckons Team India might be looking to play Rishabh Pant. Ahead of Suryakumar Yadav at No.4 in the T20 World Cup. However, Chopra wants the plan to be set aside for the match against Australia.
Pant batted at No.4 and struck a swashbuckling unbeaten 29 in Team India’s win against England. Suryakumar Yadav, on the other hand, contributed just eight runs from nine deliveries.
“If you play him [Pant] at No.4, the ones you have kept at No.5 and No.6 don’t have form. Suryakumar Yadav, of course, made runs in the last match he played for Mumbai but his second half of the IPL has been lackluster, other than one match.” He elaborated
Hardik Pandya
Thus, Hardik Pandya has had an even worse run, according to the 44-year-old. And the two being back at their best is crucial for Team India.
“Hardik Pandya has not made runs at all. You gave him few deliveries to face in the last match as well. So you have good players till No.4, who are also in form. At No.5 and No.6, you have good players but they are not in form.” Chopra observed
Moreover, If Yadav or Pandya are not at their best, Team India may contemplate playing Ishan Kishan in the middle order. With a thrilling knock of 70 runs in 46 balls in the first warm-up match against England. Kishan made a strong argument for his inclusion.