India T20 WC Squad – ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Former World Cup winner and Indian pace bowling legend Ashish Nehra has backed his Gujarat Titans Captain Hardik Pandya. According to Nehra, Hardik will make it to the Indian squad solely as a batter itself. Nehra says his bowling will be a BONUS for India. Nehra is commentating for IND vs ENG ODI Series and is also of the view that India captain Virat Kohli will be a different player after RESTING OUT of the West Indies TOUR. Follow All T20 World Cup Live Updates and Scores on InsideSport.IN.
- Hardik Pandya was in stellar form for both India and Gujarat Titans in the IPL with the bat
- Nehra also vowed that Kohli needs a rest for the Upcoming West Indies tour of India, while he is already out of the ODI squad
- India are testing the team ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in October
Also Read: India T20 Squad WI Tour: Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah RESTED for WestIndies T20 Series, Kuldeep Yadav to make COMEBACK: Follow LIVE UPDATES
India T20 WC Squad: Ashish Nehra says, ‘Hardik Pandya can make squad only as batter’, on Virat Kohli ‘he should rest for WI Series’
Ashish Nehra Urges Hardik can only make WC squad as batter –
Speaking on Hardik Pandya potential role in the team, Nehra quoted, “Hardik can be in any white ball team solely as a batter. On top of that, if he bowls it will be a bonus. But you can’t keep him as your fifth bowler in T20 or 50 overs. He can only be your sixth bowler.”
Nehra who has worked in close quarters with Hardik at the Gujarat Titans camp further added, “But looking at his fitness, you have build it up slowly. He will not be going to the West Indies for ODIs which is good in a way.
“When you are an out-and-out fast bowler you don’t have a choice. You have to bowl, you have to be fit… But it’s not the case with Hardik. He has been doing well during the last 2-3 months.”
Hardik Pandya has enjoyed a stellar last couple of months that has seen him lift the IPL 2022 trophy along with Nehra as a coach. While he also led the Indian team during the Ireland tour. His Numbers also speak volume in the recent time.
Hardik Pandya in T20Is-
| Matches | Runs | HS | 50 | 100 |
| 63 | 770 | 51 | 1 | 0 |
Nehra advises Kohli to rest for the WI tour
According to Nehra a month long break could help Virat rejuvenate his career and would help him regain his form, “There will be discussions even if you’re not a player of Kohli’s calibre. When you are playing, you try to focus on your game and not listen to so-called outside voices.
“It’s important how your teammates, management and selectors are backing you… but we are talking about a guy like Virat,” said Nehra.
“Yes, it’s not written anywhere that he will keep playing for India even if he doesn’t score runs. But when you have done so much in the past, you will always get extra chances.
“Let’s hope we see a different Virat after the West Indies series.” Nehra concluded.
India T20 WC Squad: Ashish Nehra says, ‘Hardik Pandya can make squad only as batter’, on Virat Kohli ‘he should rest for WI Series’
Kohli rested for the West Indies tour
The BCCI selection committee has decided to rest Virat Kohli & Jasprit Bumrah for the T20 squad for the West Indies tour.
However, it’s learnt that the selection committee led by Chetan Sharma will continue to back Kohli and he remains an integral part of the team plan for the T20 world cup to be held in November.
India are currently playing England in an ODI series where they lead 1-0. Kohli, who was out of the 1st ODI with a groin injury, is likely to miss the second one as well.
India T20 WC Squad: Ashish Nehra says, ‘Hardik Pandya can make squad only as batter’, on Virat Kohli ‘he should rest for WI Series’
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