It would be better to exclude Hardik Pandya from the fourth T20.Image Credit source: PTI
When the Indian team takes the field for the fourth T20 match against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, eyes will be on what changes happen in the playing-11. Team India has already captured the series with 3 consecutive wins. In such a situation, there will be expectations of change. Especially it will be worth seeing whether Sanju Samson gets a place in the team or not. What decision coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav take will be known during the toss, but for the welfare of Team India, they must take a tough decision and that is to sit out Hardik Pandya.
In all three matches of this T20 series being played just before the T20 World Cup 2026. team india Made changes in the playing-11. This trend may continue in the fourth match also and there is a possibility that star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah may be rested from this match. Bumrah entered the field for the first and third matches, while he was rested in the second match. In such a situation, this trend can continue in the fourth match also.
Why is it necessary to exclude Hardik?
But not only Bumrah, this time the team management will have to take a similar decision regarding star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The reason for this is Hardik’s workload management during the T20 World Cup and before that. Actually, Hardik had been a part of all three matches of this series till now, out of which he batted in only one match but bowled in all three matches. However, here too he has bowled only 8 overs in total.
Despite this, Hardik needs to be rested from this match. Firstly, Team India has already won the series and the remaining two matches are not of much importance. Secondly, in terms of fitness, Hardik also always walks on the edge of the sword, where there is a possibility of him getting injured at any time. In such a situation, coming so close to the T20 World Cup, if Team India fields Hardik in this unnecessary match and if he gets injured, then it will be the biggest blow for India.
Who gets the chance in place of Hardik?
Team India is similarly struggling with the fitness of all-rounder Washington Sundar. In such a situation, the injury of another all-rounder can dash all his hopes. Now if Hardik Pandya does not play then who should be given a chance? The answer is in the form of additional 3 pacers or 3 spinners or additional batsmen. If Team India gives a chance to Shreyas Iyer as an additional batsman, then it can test him by bowling more than Shivam Dubey. At the same time, she can test the strength of her batting by fielding an additional pacer or spinner.