Aakash Chopra voiced his criticism of Hardik Pandya for not utilizing Axar Patel’s bowling during the second T20I between India and the West Indies. In the match held in Guyana on Sunday, August 6, the Indian team set a target of 153 runs for the Windies. Despite their efforts, the bowlers couldn’t defend the score, resulting in a narrow two-wicket victory for the hosts with seven deliveries remaining.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra questioned Hardik Pandya’s decision not to use Axar Patel with the ball at all during India’s defeat.
“Axar Patel didn’t get a single over. My concern is that if Axar is held back from bowling because of left-handed batsmen, there were enough opportunities for him to bowl against left-handers like Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Akeal Hosein at the end.”
“It’s puzzling why he wasn’t utilized at all. If you’re not going to use him as a bowler, then why include him in the playing XI? We missed the chance to deploy a sixth bowler, and a left-armer like Akeal Hosein demonstrated its effectiveness against Tilak Varma by dismissing him, but Axar was not given the chance to showcase his skills.”
Similar to the first game, India opted for three spinners and two seamers in the second T20I, with Pandya serving as the sixth bowling option. Despite Ravi Bishnoi and Yuzvendra Chahal bowling seven overs combined, and Chahal’s effectiveness not fully utilized, Axar Patel wasn’t given a chance to bowl at all.