After an historical victory against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Team India’s opening encounter of T20 World Cup 2022, now they will play there second game at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Netherlands on 27th October.
Team India is mostly favorites in this game and there is a option for management to rest or rotate players, Hardik Pandya also feels cramps, Suryakumar Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohmmad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are also not feature in the optional Practice Session at Sydney Cricket Ground.
India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey feels that there isn’t any room for rest in a big tournament like T20 World Cup and explained the role of Pandya in the side.
Hardik wants to play all the games:
“Hardik wants to play all the games. That is important. And we are not looking at whom to rest, there is no such thought about any particular player. Hardik is a very important player for us. He adds a lot of balance, he is both bowling and batting. Other than that, his attitude on the field is important. Like you saw in the last match, he played a crucial innings.
Yes, Virat [Kohli] finished it off, but to recognise the fact that the pressure will shift to the opposition if the game goes deep, you need experience. So much of Virat’s performance’s credit should be given to Hardik as well. Rest is not even a discussion. Every match is important,” Mhambrey was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Speaking on the combination of Pandya playing as the fifth bowler in the side:
“I think that will totally depend on the conditions that we play. Yeah, purely on that. It’s good that Hardik does give you that four-overs option, and that’s what we wanted. He brings a lot of balance to the team once he does that, and he also has been very effective for us. He’s picked up wickets, and that’s important for us. But having said that, getting a batsman in or the different combination will purely depend on the team that we are playing and also the conditions,” he added.