Much before the IPL, Hardik Pandya looked to be a guarantee for the upcoming T20 World Cup. That position now seems challenged by a few all-rounders, particularly Shivam Dube, who has looked in destructively good touch. What will India and the team selectors do?
Pandya’s lacklustre season
Hardik Pandya has been under the pump lately, a lot of it due to his sudden and allegedly forced entry into the role of Mumbai Indians’ captain, but as of late, his performances have been significantly worrying as well. He looked in good nick initially, and though coming on much later than he should, he was finishing the innings in a flourish. But then he understandably promoted himself up the order, coming in when he can face a good chunk of balls at the back end, but he has disappointed, getting out cheaply and using up balls that may have cost them the match.
Unfortunately, the bowling aspect has been worse, and when it combined with his mediocre captaincy choices of bowling options, it’s not good news. He has been expensive and given away the momentum on several occasions, and at many times given himself the ball when Bumrah should have, and they have lost grip on the match much before its conclusion. Overall, he has been unimpressive; we know his calibre and talent, but it is simply not on display at the moment and it causes problems.
Shivam Dube– finisher extraordinaire
Dube, on the other hand, has looked in dominant and impeccable touch, dispatching bowlers out of the park and playing a huge role, if not single-handedly winning the Chennai Super Kings some games. He isn’t playing only the role of finisher for his team, but he would excel in that role because the back-end is when he starts to go ham on the attack. And he is a trump card India would want to carry with it to West Indies.
Now, he hasn’t bowled much for CSK, if at all, and that may be a deciding factor when the time comes to put out that squad, and it is unclear if Chennai will use him at some point or not. But his finishing qualities alone garner expert opinions that he should be on that flight.
It is likely that both these players could make it to the squad, but even then, it may be very difficult for both of them to find a place in the starting XI, and that could come down to a place of responsibility and what’s the need of the hour. If the team lacks a finisher, Dube may be prioritised, but if an allrounder who must give in some overs to the game, Pandya could be the choice. But based on form, India could go with different allrounders other than Pandya, but with the impact player rule allrounders haven’t played necessarily match-winning roles often, so the options aren’t obvious.
The selection conundrum is heightened during the IPL, and like this decision, they will have to take even more stronghold decisions, but with the right ones, we could come back with silverware.
