‘Send Hardik Pandya ahead of Rishabh Pant', Former Indian cricketer calls for a change in the batting order

Former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra feels that Hardik Pandya should be sent ahead of Rishabh Pant in the 2nd T20 international against South Africa. Chopra reckons that Hardik Pandya has the ability to score 70-80 runs in 30 balls and thus, it would be a wise decision to make him bat ahead of Pant.

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"I feel you should send Hardik Pandya slightly up the oder, whenever a wicket falls after the 10th to 12th over. If you give him 30 balls to play, he is going to give you a 70 or 80, he will do something like that. You can send Hardik Pandya ahead of Rishabh Pant."

Notably, Hardik Pandya scored an unbeaten 31-run knock in just 12 balls in the last match against South Africa. His knock helped his India reach a massive 211-run total in the first innings. However, poor performance from the bowlers led to South Africa chasing down the score in 19.1 overs.

Aakash Chopra further highlighted on the improvements that could be made in the bowling department. He stated that Yuzvendra Chahal should be given his full quota of overs and Harshal Patel should raise his game in the death overs.

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"Should there be any change in the bowling? Get Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl first, give him his full quota of four overs. That's one thing you must do. An interesting stat about Harshal Patel is that, he bowls very well at the death, but for RCB he gives nine-odd runs per over but 11 runs per over for India. So he has been slightly under the scanner when it comes to India."

In the last game, Yuzvendra Chahal bowled only 2.1 overs, conceding 26 runs. Harshal Patel, on the other hand, returned with figures of 1 for 43 in 4 overs. Senior fast bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also proved expensive as he conceded 43 runs in 4 overs with 1 wicket to his name.

The second T20I is slated to be played at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.