'We Can Afford To Play Three Spinners Because Of Hardik Pandya' - Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma in Chennai nets before IND vs AUS (AP Photo)
Rohit Sharma highlighted the all-round presence of Hardik Pandya and how influential it remains to India's balance and combination leading into the team's ICC World Cup 2023 campaign.
The Indian skipper alluded to the fact that India could afford to play three spinners on a dry surface in Chennai against Australia on Sunday (October 8) due to the prominence of Pandya as a fast-bowling option while batting in the top 6.
Rohit also indirectly confirmed the inclusion of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in a three-pronged spin attack featuring lead wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav and spin allrounder Ravindra Jadeja by praising Pandya for the"luxury" he brings to the table.
Without the experienced Baroda cricketer, India would've stood no chance of being able to leave out the third specialist pacer and play an extra spinner for the cause on a turning pitch at Chepauk versus Australia.
Rohit Sharma Highlights All-round Importance Of Hardik Pandya
Speaking to the press ahead of India's World Cup opener, Rohit spoke of Pandya as the biggest key to the team retaining an ideal balance to their playing XI and being able to tweak their plans depending on the pitch on offer.
On flatter or more seam-friendly tracks, India are likely to consider picking Shardul Thakur for his batting assurance at No.8 or bring in Mohammad Shami as the third pacer while leaving out Ashwin during the competition.
"Yeah, I mean that's the luxury we have where we can afford to play three spinners because I don't really consider Hardik Pandya as just a seamer," Rohit said. "He (Hardik) is a proper fast bowler, who can crank up good speed. So, that gives us an advantage. That gives us that luxury of playing three spinners and three seamers as well. So, there's a possibility of that."
Rohit believes Ashwin's presence at No.8 on a relatively lower-scoring surface such as Chennai lengthens India's batting and instils a greater sense of freedom to the team's top 7 to play their strokes without feeling worried about the depth.
"We definitely want to be a team where we want to play the best 11, but you can pick your best 11 based on the conditions that you have in front of you. Where there is a bit of assistance to the slower bowlers, you need to bring in those slower bowlers."
"So, your core of the team will remain the same. Your 8, 9, 10 players will remain the same. There will be one or two changes here and there, which you've got to be ready to accept and take it into your stride and move forward," he added.
 "Kashish Chadha")
