“Rohit is trying to bring the best out of Hardik” – Aakash Chopra on Hardik Pandya’s spell in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win vs Ireland

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra noted that skipper Rohit Sharma is trying to get the best out of Hardik Pandya. Pandya was introduced into the attack after the Powerplay overs by Rohit Sharma, who decided to bowl first after winning the toss against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday.

Pandya stuck in his first over as he found the gulf between Lorcan Tucker’s bat and pad. The all-rounder then found Curtis Campher’s outside edge after the right-hander was looking good during his short stay of 8-ball 12. The right-arm seamer then bounced out Mark Adair but he was taken for 14 runs in his final over and returned with impressive figures of 3-27 in his quota of four overs.

Pandya, who is a hit-the-deck bowler, made the most of the conditions and he was right on the money, especially in his first three overs.

“Hardik Pandya – now that is becoming a good story. We had discussed earlier that this could be a breakthrough World Cup for Hardik Pandya, especially if the conditions are like this. He is releasing the ball decently and getting a little sideways movement as well,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Picking up three wickets like that – just grows stronger and stronger in confidence that things are going good. The captain is ensuring that he bowls his entire four overs. Rohit Sharma is understanding that Hardik Pandya is his very important player. Rohit is trying to bring the best out of Hardik,” the former India opener added.

The renowned commentator hailed Arshdeep Singh for his opening spell in the Powerplay overs as the left-arm seamer dismissed both Irish openers – Andrew Balbirnie and captain Paul Stirling.

“The bowlers did what they had to do. It had to happen like that. When the ball was swinging at the start, Arshdeep Singh had to hit the stumps. I don’t know what Andrew Balbirnie was doing. He was trying to play after moving away from the stumps. Mohammed Siraj started with the new ball and Jasprit Bumrah picked up wickets,” he said.

Chopra also hailed Jasprit Bumrah for his fine spell of 2-6 and lauded Axar Patel for taking a good catch on his own bowling to dismiss Barry McCarthy.

“Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket with a bouncer and then hit the stumps with a yorker. Axar Patel – what a catch he took after diving from behind the batter. It was very good. Overall, I have sympathy for Ireland. The conditions were difficult. To negotiate the Indian bowling level in these conditions and to score 150 runs was a very high mountain to climb,” Chopra observed.

India will next take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday.