Hardik
Pandya’s selection for Team India has been a topic of debate ever since a back injury in 2018 hampered his ability to bowl. And the debate reignited after India’s 10-wicket
thumping against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup opener last Sunday.

The star
all-rounder has not been bowling recently and is being selected purely on his destructive
abilities with the bat. On Wednesday, the Baroda player bowled in the nets for
the first time in months, but skipper Virat Kohli has given no assurances if he
will be given the ball in the must-win encounter against New Zealand.

Pandya has
also recovered from a shoulder injury sustained against Pakistan, but selectors
will have to decide whether picking him on his clobbering prowess is worth the
risk in a virtual quarter-final.

Why are
all-rounders important?

With an all-rounder like Pandya’s ability,
teams can include an extra batter or bowlers as per the requirements. They give
extra options if a captain is looking to reserve their frontline options for a
later phase, or to stem the flow of runs.

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Pandya’s emergence signalled the end of
India’s search for a seaming all-rounder. A force to reckon with the bat, the
bowling option that Pandya provided was critical to India’s balance. Without him
bowling, Kohli has limited options to turn to, especially if one of the frontline
bowlers is having an off-day.

Why is
Pandya not bowling?

Pandya suffered a back injury during the Test series against England in 2018. The issues resurfaced during the Asia Cup later that year. Despite undergoing surgery in 2019, he has
not been able to bowl regularly since. Pandya last bowled during India’s tour
to Sri Lanka in July, but has not bowled for Mumbai Indian during IPL 2021, in
the India or UAE legs.  

Why
is Pandya still being selected?

Pandya remains a destructive batsman, which
has kept him as a key figure for India and Mumbai Indians recently.  Although his form with the bat has also
slumped recently, he still has shown signs of his former self, who could single-handedly
turn the tide of any game against any opposition.

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Who
can replace Pandya?

Shardul Thakur was picked as a back-up seam
all-rounder option, if the team management decided to drop Pandya. Thakur has been
handy with the bat recently, especially in Test cricket, and has the ability to
move the ball both ways.

Why
the stakes against New Zealand are high?

Having already lost their opening match
against Pakistan, losing to New Zealand could seriously dent India’s aspirations
of making the semi-finals. India have three more games to play after the Kiwis,
against Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland. India will not only have to win not
only have to win all three, but hope New Zealand slip-up in their remaining games.