Hardik Pandya, India’s all-rounder, may not have the best form, but the ‘TINA’ factor is likely to get him selected for the T20 World Cup 2024. There is no like-for-like substitute for Hardik. Though Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Shivam Dube has been in excellent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, the team’s reluctance to deploy him as a bowler is expected to work in Hardik’s benefit, according to reports.
According to PTI, Hardik is likely to join India’s World Cup roster of 15 because he has no alternative (TINA). Hardik’s batting abilities, which includes scoring runs at a strike rate of 132, as well as his ability to field well in all situations, are likely to help him.
Pandya has bowled 17 overs out of a possible 32 in eight games for the Mumbai Indians in the 17th IPL season.
As a designated finisher, he has only hit seven sixes in these games, which is below average by any standard. The free-flowing bat-swing is absolutely absent from the 150 odd runs he has scored in the competition thus far, with a strike rate of 142.
While Hardik is a more complete all-rounder, Dube’s batting form has helped him emerge as one of the game’s best finishers. Dube may not be vying with Hardik for the all-rounder position, but he is a strong contender for a berth in the 15.
Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are the five bowlers who have almost certainly secured their berths.
However, with the exception of Bumrah and Kuldeep, the other Indian bowlers haven’t been in fantastic form throughout the IPL, making the selection of an additional bowler crucial.
Avesh of the Rajasthan Royals, Axar of the Delhi Capitals, and Bishnoi of the Lucknow Super Giants will compete against each other.
Avesh, who has made significant progress in his death bowling, has eight wickets in as many matches with an economy rate of 9.41, while Bishnoi has just five wickets but has a remarkable economy rate of 8.47 on flat tracks.
Axar, who has seven scalps in nine games but bowls at a rate slightly above 7, would also be an excellent pick given the conditions.
In terms of talent and pace, Dube, the bowler, is no match for Pandya, but his current hitting form (22 sixes in eight games) cannot be disregarded.
