The most effective Indian spinner was also the least used in the game. Chahal was the most economical bowler in the entire match, not just for the Indian team. Despite this, the leggie was taken off the attack after only two overs, never to be seen again.
After Team India avoided a humiliation in Lucknow, Hardik slammed the pitch curators. But, even before the game started, he knew the pitch would help the spinners. As a result, the team’s management decided to play Chahal as an extra spinner, leaving out speedster Umran Malik.
Chahal, who came off the bench in the series opener in Ranchi, couldn’t have picked a better surface for his first match of the series. In fact, he’d be licking his lips if he’d found out he’d made the starting XI.
It didn’t take long for the 32-year-old to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the best wrist spinners in the world. Chahal struck Finn Allen with a peach of a delivery in his first over, giving India their first breakthrough.
Yuzvendra Chahal surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar as India’s most successful T20I bowler with his 91st dismissal. Despite such a strong start, Hardik Pandya took him out of the attack and never brought him back for another spell.
Hardik Pandya bowled four overs himself rather than allowing his front-line spinner to finish his quota on a spin-friendly wicket. In most matches, Hardik Pandya, who is captaining the Indian team in Rohit Sharma’s absence, has opened the attack with the new ball.
One could understand his tactics on pitches that aided fast bowlers, but using the same tactics on spin-friendly tracks makes little sense.
It was time for him to step back and let his spinners do their work. Instead, for the second game in a row, he chose to bowl himself. It was as if he wanted to prove to the entire world that he was in charge.
His decisions only show how self-centered he is. Hardik Pandya wants to assert his dominance over the team, but not in a good way. People may not realize it right now, but if he continues down this path, they will begin to notice that he prioritizes himself over his teammates.
If he continues down the same path, it could be dangerous for the Indian team.
