According to Robin Uthappa, Hardik Pandya has performed admirably as India’s T20I captain but still needs a lot more time to hone his leadership abilities.
On Tuesday, August 8, in Providence, Guyana, the third T20I of the five-match series will take place between India and the West Indies. After losing from obviously winning situations in the first two games, the visitors must win this game.
When asked what Hardik Pandya could change as captain at the preview of the third T20I on JioCinema, Uthappa responded:
Aside from the miscalculation of not bowling Yuzi (Yuzvendra) Chahal after he had taken three wickets (two wickets and a run-out) in the previous over in the second T20I, I think Hardik has led the team effectively thus far. With the bat, he has played really well. He also plays effectively with the ball.
The previous Indian opening continued:
“He is assuming more responsibilities as a bowler and has taken wickets while doing so. He helped the squad start well in the second T20I. Having said that, you still need to be patient with someone like him since, up until now, he has just led the IPL.”
Yuzvendra Chahal’s removal from the attack in the 16th over of the West Indies chase in the second T20I received criticism after he had taken two wickets and given up just three runs. Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph scored the necessary 21 runs off the 18th and 19th overs, respectively, bowled by Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar, hence the strategy flopped.
“He has not led too much in international cricket” – Robin Uthappa on Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya hasn’t led the team much in international cricket, as Robin Uthappa said. He noticed:
He hasn’t played much of the leading role in international cricket. Therefore, you should allow him the time and space he needs to establish himself as a leader inside this group.
In his final statement, the former cricketer turned analyst urged the Indian team’s management and supporters to have patient with Gujarat Titans captain:
It takes some time for it to happen, therefore I believe it will be prudent for the team management and us Indian team supporters to be patient while waiting for him to enter the game and establish himself as a leader.
“Under Hardik’s direction, the Men in Blue have won eight of the 13 T20Is they have played, with one match ending in a draw using the DLS technique. To improve his prospects of leading India in the T20 World Cup next year, he would want to win the final three games of the current series. However, the four losses have occurred in his past seven matches as skipper.”
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