Pandya, Dube not Malcolm Marshall, India missing Kuldeep Yadav, says Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube are not Malcolm Marshall after India’s heavy loss against South Africa in the Super 8 clash. Akhtar noted that the duo were bowling around 120 kmph in the game against the Proteas.

The Rawalpindi Express reckons India is missing the services of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. With India set to play against Zimbabwe at Chennai, where the track is going to be conducive to the spinners, there will be thoughts of including Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the team.

Meanwhile, Dube returned with expensive figures of 1-32 in two overs he bowled whereas Pandya leaked 45 runs in his four overs quota.

“Hardik and Shivam Dube were bowling at around 120 kmph. It’s not as if they are Malcolm Marshall — someone who would intimidate a batting line-up of South Africa’s calibre. If you deploy them in the death overs, such a counterattack from the Proteas is inevitable,” Akhtar said on Tapmad.

Akhtar said Kuldeep Yadav can deceive the opposition batters in the air and Varun was not at his best against the Proteas.

“India’s bowling has been exposed. If you look at Varun, whose strength is bowling at 97–98 kmph, he was clocking 94. And when he came into the attack, he was struck for a no-look six by Dewald Brevis. The missing link here is Kuldeep Yadav. He is someone who can deceive batters in the air and pick up wickets when needed. He is a proven match-winner,” he added.

India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.