Hardik Pandya struggling with bat, reckons Ramiz Raja

However, he is not as effective as he used to be with the bat and former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja feels the England team has done its homework against the hard-hitter. “Hardik Pandya’s bat is not working.

Hyderabad: The role of Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder is crucial for providing balance to Indian team. The all-rounder, who made a return from injury, was given the responsibility of bowling four overs in the ongoing T20 series against England and he has done his job well.

However, he is not as effective as he used to be with the bat and former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja feels the England team has done its homework against the hard-hitter. “Hardik Pandya’s bat is not working. England are bowling throat balls against him. They know they can’t afford to bowl full to him or make him face spin. So they are sticking to short-of-good length, and Pandya is appearing ungainly while trying to go for the big shots. We don’t expect him to score 17 off 20 balls. He usually takes off from there and flattens the opposition. Because of his failures, his lack of big-hitting, the entire team has been pushed into a whirlpool,” he said speaking on his YouTube channel.

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“When you have this kind of opening combination against England, and they’re getting out early, pressure is bound to be created. Ishan Kishan was being batted at No. 3, and England pulled off a brilliant strategy of bowling short to him. Besides, Rishabh Pant is getting out after scoring 25. He shouldn’t be getting out after being set,” he added.