Pandya’s bowling form will help India bring in Kuldeep: Irfan Pathan

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 15, 2024 20:27 IST

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan lauded Hardik Pandya for his magnificent bowling form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, Pandya has been the leading wicket-taker for India in the ongoing tournament, having picked seven wickets from three matches at an average of 9.28 and an economy of 5.41.

Pandya picked up 3/27 against Ireland, 2/24 against Pakistan and 2/14 against the USA. Reflecting on Hardik’s brilliant form, Pathan dissected the all-rounder’s success mantra on dry wickets and said that he will play a pivotal role in the West Indies with his cutters and bouncers.

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“I think the kind of length he bowls, it’s perfect for dry conditions. Because he pitches the ball slightly on a shorter side but the line has to be in the stumps. If he does that, especially in pitches like West Indies where he can use those cutters and bowl those bouncers and hard lengths. It will be difficult to get away. That’s why him being in form as a bowler is very very important,” said Pathan on Star Sports.

Pathan feels Pandya's batting will be crucial in knockouts

Further speaking ahead, Pathan highlighted the importance of Pandya’s batting in knockouts. He also said that his bowling form will be crucial to allow India to bring in Kuleep Yadav on the spin friendly wickets in the West Indies.

“Yes batting needs to come to the fore because there will be a time in the knockout games where his batting will be required. By that time, hopefully, he will get some runs which he’s not got so far. But him being in the form as a bowler is so crucial because by the time we go to West Indies, you might wanna get in Kuldeep and when you’re getting Kuldeep one of the fast bowler goes out. Three fast bowlers firing all cylinders will be really good for the Indian team,” he added.

Notably, Kuldeep hasn’t played a single match in the tournament so far with the team going with a four-pronged seam attack in the conditions in New York. However, their combination is likely to change in the Super 8s considering the success of spinners in the West Indies. India will start their Super 8 campaign against Afghanistan on Thursday, June 20 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.