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Former Australian captain and commentator Michael Clarke has emphasized that Team India missed the services of all-rounder Hardik Pandya and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the first ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, October 19.
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Notably, India suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Australia in the opening game of the three-match series, starting the Australian tour on a worrying note. For the unversed, Hardik has been ruled out of the series due to a quadriceps injury, while Bumrah has been rested for the ODI series.
Speaking exclusively on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke felt that Hardik’s power-hitting in the middle overs and crucial bowling spells were missed a lot in Perth. Moreover, the World Cup-winning captain also stated he would’ve loved watching Hardik play Test cricket.
"His bowling, if he's fully fit, is so important to India, whether it's T20, ODI or if he was still playing Tests. So he was significantly missed in the opening game. His power-hitting in the middle, the bowling and his attitude as well, that take on the Australian attitude, he's always played that brand of cricket," Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
"I wish Hardik was still playing Test cricket. I just think he's the genuine bowling all-rounder," he added.
In Hardik’s absence, Nitish Kumar Reddy received his maiden ODI cap in Perth. He went on to score a crucial 19-run unbeaten knock in the death overs in a rain-curtailed Perth ODI. However, his knock went in vain as Team India posted a mediocre 136/9 in 26 overs. Clarke also reckoned that Team India would be completely different with Bumrah in the XI.
"They missed Bumrah. You add someone with Bumrah's class at 145+ on that pitch, though I still feel they didn't make enough runs, but with Bumrah, it's a very different attack," Clarke concluded.
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