/sky247-english/media/agency_attachments/u8Dd4hyaH0mQGXmyg0Eo.png)
/sky247-english/media/media_files/oXHoxgPA7CrylmMTcwp1.jpg)
Follow Us/sky247-english/media/post_banners/XShwdBZT6wiIuYfLPJDp.jpg)
Hardik Pandya and Gautam Gambhir (Image Source: Twitter)
On 29 January 2023, team India managed to win the second T20I against New Zealand in Luckow. But, it was a low-scoring thriller that India managed to pull off with just one ball to spare. In this match, Yuzvendra Chahal made a comeback in the playing XI in place of Umran Malik.
/sky247-english/media/media_files/L36rCpmHRJkAgRgNCcLd.jpg)
However, he managed to take one wicket for four runs in two overs. He even managed to bowl a maiden over. But, Hardik Pandya did not use his full quota as he went with other bowlers. Seeing that spinning track, it was surprising to see Pandya not using the legspinner for full four overs. Regarding that decision, the former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir slammed the Indian skipper.
“I can't answer this question, that too on a wicket like this.” - Gautam Gambhir
While speaking on Star Sports after the match, Gautam Gambhir said that it makes no sense for not using Chahal fully, especially on a wicket like this. He said: “Massive surprise. I can't answer this question, that too on a wicket like this. Chahal is your number-one spinner in the T20 format. Just asking him to bowl two overs and in that he got the important wicket of Finn Allen and then not using his full quota of overs makes no sense to me.”
“Yes, you want to give young guys another opportunity like Arshdeep Singh or Shivam Mavi. But then you could have bowled Chahal in the last over as well, or earlier. So I feel he missed a trick. He could have got New Zealand bowled for maybe 80 or 85 and on this kind of pitch, you don't want to let the opposition off the hook. Massive surprise, asking Hooda to bowl four overs but not Chahal,” Gautam Gambhir added.
Speaking of the match, New Zealand scored 99 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs while batting first. In reply, India managed to chase it down in 19.5 overs with six wickets in hand. Suryakumar Yadav won the player of the match award for his gritty knock of 26* runs off 31 balls, including only one boundary.