Hardik Pandya is in serious trouble. He looks like a player who is more content on playing in the IPL rather than playing for India. He no doubt is preciously talented. If only he could focus on his game, he really has the game to achieve wonders. Unfortunately, ever since the England limited overs series, all Pandya has been trying to do is swing at the delivery and if the ball was in his arc, it will scurry to the boundary or go over the boundary. The fact that he hardly gets to play 3-4 overs in T20s and 10 overs in ODIs does not allow him to get his eye in and build an innings. I however feel that he is under-utilised. This is a case for Hardik Pandya to open the innings.
Rahul’s IPL success must not be considered
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, India have only a couple of openers in Rohit and Rahul with an option of moving Kohli up the order if the need arises. The selectors did not really feel the need to have a backup opener because Ishan Kishan can also open the innings as he has repeatedly done in IPL. This was short-sighted. I have said this before and I will say this again. Rahul is not an opener. Especially in ODIs and T20s. Whenever he opens, he is unsure whether to attack the bowlers or bat at a reasonable pace. As a result, he ends up playing a sedate innings. Most of the time, he does not really gets away with it and gets out quickly.
Yes, I do realise that he has had phenomenal success as an opener in IPL. His wicket is the most sought after by all the opposition teams in the IPL whenever they play Punjab Kings. Opening for an IPL franchise and opening for the country is a different ball game. In the IPL there is hardly one or two top class bowler per team. Whereas at the international level, especially in a World Cup, there are several top quality bowlers. All Rahul has to do is play the good bowlers safely and cash in on the weaker bowlers. This will not happen at the world cup. Hence, he remains at the crease strokeless.
However, the same Rahul will be destructive down the order. His position is number 5 in ODIs and T20 and certainly not as opener. He must not open in the ongoing world cup. Which brings us to the question. Who will open if Rahul is to bat in the middle order?
Hardik must open in T20
Kohli and Ishan Kishan are the candidates who have been chosen specifically for this role. I however feel that Hardik Pandya will be much more destructive at the top of the order. Hardik has all the strokes. He can play fast bowling and spinners with relish. He just needs to spend time in the middle. Once he does that, he will be able to unleash his brutal strokes and will give the team a flying start. He needs time and confidence both of which he can easily gain if he is allowed to open.
Hardik still has the shoulder problem that restricts him from bowling. A Hardik who can bowl 4 overs and bat in the lower middle order will be alright even if he is unable to strike as required but a Hardik who cannot bowl is a liability down the order. The problematic shoulder seems to hamper his hitting ability too. Perhaps he feels that on a subconscious level. Opening the innings will allow him to time the ball rather than use brute force which may or may not succeed.
Nothing special is expected from him. Just help the team to get to 50odd during the powerplay. He would have done his job. We know Rohit takes his time to get going. India cannot afford the same type of player at the other end in Rahul. A free scoring Hardik will take a lot of pressure off Rohit who can play the typical massive innings he is known for.
Concluding a case for Hardik Pandya to open the innings
The game has changed. India needs top order aggression. The likes of Jason Roy comes to mind. Hardik can be India’s Jason Roy. Who knows, opening the innings may even kindle the inner passion of Hardik and he perhaps may once again would like to showcase his wares for the country. If he is unable to bowl, he certainly cannot be in the playing 11 as a batsman at number 7. Shardul is a much better option at that position than Hardik. The team management must seriously think of sending Hardik to open in the next game against New Zealand. New Zealand does not possess express pace bowlers. Hardik will be able to learn and adapt at the top. With games against Afghanistan, Scotland & Namibia, he can gain massive confidence just before the knockout games assuming ofcourse India will qualify.