Cricket expert Akash Chopra wants to see Indian star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to bat a little higher in the batting order. The 44-year-old believes Hardik could be better used at the top of the order instead of his usual fifth position. He also said that Hardik should have batted before Rishabh Pant as he is an expert in scoring runs quickly.
In the first T20 match against South Africa, Hardik Pandya batted at number five and during this he scored 31 runs in 12 balls and with the help of 3 sixes and two fours, helped India’s score cross 200.
Following India's loss in the first game of the five-match series, former batsman Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel that the team should make some changes for the second game. Cuttack's Barabati Stadium will host the second match. He also discussed Pandya's batting order there.
He said, ‘I think after 10th to 12th over whenever a wicket falls, you should send Hardik Pandya up a little bit. If you give him 30 balls to play, he will give you 70 or 80 runs. He will do something like this. You can send Hardik Pandya ahead of Rishabh Pant.”
He further said, “Should there be any change in the bowling? Ask Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl first and give him the full quota of four overs. It is a task that you should do. One interesting thing about Harshal Patel is That he bowls very well at the death, but for RCB he gives nine runs per over. While for India 11 runs per over. So, when it comes to India, he is a bit questionable.”