I believe that Hardik Pandya is critical to team India’s success in World Cup: Aakash Chopra

India will begin their campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup with a clash against Australia in Chennai. Talking ahead of the game, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra reckoned that star all-rounder Hardik Pandya would be crucial in India's run in the mega ICC event. Highlighting Pandya's importance in the team, Chopra added that there is no batting all-rounder in the team at the moment.

Jadeja's batting has been off colour off late and Pandya is the only one who bowls in the top six and can bat in difficult scenarios as well. However, Chopra expressed concern about the all-rounder missing the ODI assignment against Australia, and warm-up games also got washed off.

There might be a chance Hardik might not be at his best in his first game in Chennai: Chopra

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI,’ Aakash Chopra opined whether India is too dependent on Hardik Pandya and his role in the team. “I am a bit worried that India is too dependent on Hardik Pandya. There is no other player like him in the squad – nobody bowls in the top 6. Ravindra Jadeja can play at No. 7, but his batting form hasn’t been great lately.

Also, Pandya is the only batting all-rounder in the team and Shardul Thakur isn’t – he can’t bat at No. 6. Hence, I believe that Hardik Pandya is critical to team India’s success in the World Cup. Another reason why I am worried about this is the fact that he did not play the last three ODIs against Australia and the warm-up matches did not happen. He has not played a lot of cricket - he played in the Asia Cup final and took a couple of wickets but could not bat and the last two fixtures against Pakistan were not too significant in terms of his performance. So, there might be a chance he might not be at his best in his first game in Chennai.”