After India’s 3-2 loss to West indies within the recently-concluded T20I collection, former wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel opined that captain Hardik Pandya is “still a work in progress”. Brandon King‘s excellent unbeaten 85 led West Indies to an eight-wicket win over India within the series-deciding fifth T20I on Sunday. Set a goal of 166 to win the ultimate sport, in Lauderhill, Florida, West Indies reached their goal with two overs to spare with Nicholas Pooran scoring 47 in a partnership of 107 with King. The win was a morale-booster for West Indies cricket after the one-day group failed, final month, to qualify for the World Cup for the primary time of their historical past.

On the opposite hand, the defeat raised lots of questions on the Indian group’s technique and the captaincy of Hardik, who led the facet within the collection. Patel opined that Hardik might have used his bowlers higher towards the Caribbean facet.

“Against Nicholas Pooran, he (Hardik Pandya) gave that over to Axar Patel and never bowling Yuzvendra Chahal. Bowling changes and the utilisation of the bowlers are something that tells me that Hardik, the captain for India, is still a work in progress,” Patel informed Cricbuzz.

Hardik the batter additionally didn’t impress within the collection towards West Indies. Out of three ODIs and 5 T20Is, Hardik batted in seven video games however managed just one half-century which got here within the 50-over format. He regarded poorer within the T20Is.

“And there is obviously a little concern about his batting. He needs runs. He didn’t get runs in the IPL, he didn’t get runs in the last couple of series as well. India would want to get some runs for Hardik Pandya in the Asia Cup or the series against Australia before the World Cup,” Patel stated.

(With AFP Inputs)