India would want to get some runs for Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup before ODI World Cup: Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel & Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel expressed that all-rounder Hardik Pandya will need to get the runs and find his form in the forthcoming Asia Cup or the series against Australia at home, before the eagerly-anticipated ODI World Cup.

Notably, Hardik managed to collect just 77 runs during the five-match T20I series against the West Indies. In the same vein, the former cricketer Parthiv was critical about certain decisions made by the skipper during the matches and regarding his underwhelming batting performance.

Parthiv highlighted a particular incident from the series and stated that the player is still a work in progress while playing the role of the skipper of the national team. In addition to this, Parthiv also outlined Hardik’s IPL performance and how the latter failed to carve out invaluable knocks.

“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,” Parthiv Patel told Cricbuzz.

“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,” he added.

India suffered series defeat against an inexperienced West Indies side

Notably, team India lost the five-match series 3-2 following a crushing defeat in the fifth and final T20I. While the selection committee is yet to announce the squad for the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, it is expected that Hardik will make the cut in the setup for both the marquee ODI events.

Speaking about the Asia Cup, the Men in Blue will kickstart their campaign on September 2, as they go head-to-head against the arch-rivals, Pakistan. Rohit Sharma and Co. will begin their World Cup campaign against five-time winners, Australia, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, on October 8.