“You don't really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya” - Former Indian coach makes a startling statement

Former Team India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has stated that the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s absence is not being felt in the Indian team because of the strong all-round performances by Shivam Dube.

In the fourth T20I, Dube, who batted at No.3, went on to score 22 runs off 18 balls and later, scalped two important wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Tim David to turn the game towards Team India.

For the unversed, Pandya has been out of the cricketing action after suffering a quadricep injury. Speaking on JioStar, Nayar heaped praise on Dube, stating that he can be a true all-rounder in Pandya’s absence. 

"We always say that Hardik Pandya is the kind of all-rounder that India requires. But game after game, Shivam Dube has shown that he can be that all-rounder as well. You don't really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya because Shivam bowls important overs, takes key wickets, and contributes with the bat in different situations," Nayar said on JioStar's post-match show Cricket Live.

"In the fourth T20I again, he scored crucial runs and took two big wickets when Australia were looking to accelerate," Nayar added. "Whenever he has been challenged by this Indian team management, he has come up with flying colours. He may not be tagged as 'the all-rounder', but he does everything that an Indian all-rounder needs to do," he added.

Delving into the details of the fourth T20I, India posted 167/8 in 20 overs. Later in the chase, Australia got bundled out for 119 in 18.2 overs. This victory helped the Indian team to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series.

"167 on this ground is definitely a good score because the quality bowling we have, the spinners, the fast bowlers...I trust them and the whole team trusts our bowlers," Dube said after the fourth T20I.

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