India vs West Indies: Will Hardik Pandya bowl full quota of 10 overs in ODIs? Experts don't think so

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Barbados, Jul 27: With less than three months to go for ICC World Cup 2023, Team India will begin their preparations for the showpiece event with a three-match ODI series against West Indies, starting today (July 27).

After winning the Test series 1-0, Rohit Sharma and his band will look to put up another dominant show as they take on Shai Hope-led side in the opening match at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Team India begin WC preparations in the Caribbean

With the ODI series, the Men in Blue will be aiming to get their combination right for the marquee tournament, starting October 5, in their own backyard. One of the most sought-after teams in the competition, India will be favourites in the quadrennial event.

But coach Rahul Dravid's side faces several questions which need to be answered through preparatory bilateral series like these. Captain Rohit's deputy Hardik Pandya's role will be crucial if the team wants to end the 10-year-long drought to lift an ICC trophy.

The Baroda all-rounder will have to bowl a full 10 overs per game and provide a balance to the team. However, the right-arm medium pacer hasn't finished his full quota of overs every game he's played in 2023.

Hardik Pandya ODI Bowling Performance: Experts React

Former India cricketers are also of the opinion that one can't expect Hardik to bowl full quota of overs and team management should look at him that way. JioCinema experts Abhinav Mukund, Aakash Chopra and Saba Karim while speaking on the platform analysed Hardik's role in the current Indian set-up.

Former India batter Mukund claimed that Pandya should not be looked at as a frontline pacer who can bowl a full quota of 10 overs, instead the team should give him five to six overs per match.

"If you get even five or six overs from him then you are getting the job done out of him. We have got five bowlers already in contention. If Jadeja is playing and Hardik Pandya is playing, there are two genuine all-rounders. We shouldn't think as Hardik Pandya being a front line ten over bowling option," the Tamil Nadu cricketer said.

Aakash Chopra on Hardik Pandya - the bowler

Former India opener Aakash Chopra seconded Mukund's opinion saying the ODI series against West Indies will give us an idea about what captain Rohit Sharma expects of his deputy and whether or not the latter will give the former full 10 overs to bowl.

Chopra said, "I am viewing him as someone who can give you five to six overs and not consistently giving you ten overs. Well, we will also find out in the three ODIs whether he is actually bowling and if he is bowling, how many overs Rohit Sharma is giving him the responsibility to bowl."

Former India wicketkeeper and ex-selector, Saba Karim went on to add that Hardik's five or six overs per match will come in very handy for the Men in Blue because the star all-rounder brings a balance to the side.

Karim added, "If even he can bowl five to six overs that will be very handy for the Indian side because Hardik in the playing eleven brings the right kind of balance. He is a terrific performer with the willow, coming in at number five- six. He can also bat as a floater plus if she can chip in with those 4-5 overs of incisive pace bowling, that will be very important for India's success."

Watch all the action from the 1st ODI during India's Tour of the West Indies on Thursday, July 27, from 7:00 PM onwards, LIVE on JioCinema.