Hardik Pandya needs to perform while captaining India, says Madan Lal

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal reckons Hardik Pandya needs to perform while captaining the national team. Pandya recently led in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies, which the team lost by 3-2. This was India’s first five-match series loss against the Windies and Hardik Pandya’s first loss as T20I captain.

Pandya trudged to 14 runs off 18 balls in the deciding game of the series against the Rovman Powell-led team in Florida and failed to provide impetus in the middle overs.

The Indian skipper could not lead from the front with the bat in the five-match series as he could only manage 77 runs in four innings at an average of 25.67 and a subdued strike rate of 110. Furthermore, Pandya took four wickets in the series at an average of 31.50.

Lal believes Hardik Pandya could be India’s next T20I captain but he needs to perform consistently with both bat as well as the ball.

“See, he definitely could be the next captain, the way he is going about leading in T20Is. But my concern is not that. Hardik has to perform. He is so talented and has done well, but where is the Hardik Pandya that scored 92 against Australia? That sort of form I want to see Hardik in,” Lal told Hindustan Times in Mumbai.

Lal is happy that Pandya is contributing with the ball and feels he needs to be bowling fit in order for the team to succeed.

“At the same time, I am very happy that he is bowling. We need him bowling in the World Cup as that sixth bowler. They have given him a very important role and Hardik has to ensure that he does well,” Lal said.

Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal has been left out of the Asia Cup squad and Lal reckons the leg-spinner should have been part of the upcoming tournament.

“Australia has played Kuldeep Yadav very well. Yuzvendra Chahal should have got a chance. He is a match-winning bowler,” Lal told PTI.

India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on September 2.