Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan emphasised that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play distinct roles in the T20 World Cup 2024. Irfan Pathan believes that the Men in Blue can effectively include both players in their starting XI, addressing speculations about Dube being a backup for Hardik.
Pathan burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, taking the cricketing world by storm with his ability to swing the new ball both ways. Comparisons to Wasim Akram were inevitable, as the young Indian possessed a similar repertoire of deceptive deliveries. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming the fastest Indian bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets (59 matches) and forming a potent opening bowling partnership with Zaheer Khan. Pathan’s peak came in the mid-2000s. He was a key member of the Indian team that won the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2007, taking a crucial wicket on the very first ball of his T20 World Cup debut.
What Irfan Pathan Said
Irfan explained how the Men in Blue can integrate both all-rounders into their playing XI. He believes Hardik is more suited to a finisher role, while Dube can capitalize on facing spinners.
Here’s what Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports Press Room,
“I think Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play different roles. Hardik will have a set role to finish the game, and Shivam Dube will play as a floater, at least in the playoffs, acting as an enforcer against the spinners. He will play that kind of role.”
Irfan Pathan also asserted that Hardik Pandya needs to revert to his wider stance to enhance his effectiveness as a finisher for India. The former cricketer believes that Hardik’s move up the order led to a change in his stance, which has impacted his power-hitting ability.
Irfan Pathan Speaks on Hardik Pandya’s bowling
Considering the lineup of India’s T20 World Cup squad, Hardik Pandya could potentially serve as the third seamer alongside two specialist pacers. Irfan Pathan suggests that for this role transition to occur, Hardik must replicate the form he demonstrated with the ball during the latter stages of the IPL 2024 season.
Irfan stated,
“If he (Hardik) is bowling, he should get going the way he did in the last part of the IPL. It will help his batting as well because he primarily plays in the Indian team as a batting all-rounder rather than a bowling all-rounder. However, it works both ways; if you do well in one area, it boosts your confidence in the other.”
Hardik secured 11 wickets at an economy rate of 10.75 for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. However, Team India undoubtedly requires a more impactful performance than that if they aspire to break their 11-year drought for an ICC Trophy.
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