During the second T20I in Mullanpur, fans witnessed something new in India’s strategy as India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya. The match didn’t go India’s way, but the changes revealed how the team is experimenting ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Even on a difficult night for the bowlers, the idea behind India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya became a major discussion point.
Bumrah, Arshdeep Struggle as Pandya Gets a New Role
It was a rare bad day for India’s top pacers. Jasprit Bumrah, who rarely gets hit for big shots, was smashed for four sixes in an innings for the first time. Arshdeep Singh also had a difficult outing, giving away 54 runs including several wides. As the pressure grew, fans noticed that India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya was clearly part of a larger experiment.
Instead of bowling in the PowerPlay, Pandya was used in the middle overs. This shift was surprising because India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya usually to test flexibility, but this time the pitch didn’t offer much help. Pandya bowled several slower balls and mixed up his lengths, trying to control the scoring rate. He even managed to trouble batters like Quinton de Kock, but still ended up giving away runs. Even then, the idea of India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya remained important for India’s long-term plans.
The visitors posted a strong total of 213/4, and once India’s top order fell early, the game moved heavily in South Africa’s favour. But the focus remained on why India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya in such a key game.
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This match was also unique because India rarely lose when Bumrah and Arshdeep play together. But with India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya, the team seems willing to try new ideas before the World Cup. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate explained that India wanted to test different combinations. With two main seamers taking the new ball and Varun Chakravarthy bowling at the back end of the PowerPlay, India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya for tactical flexibility.
Pandya’s role is changing depending on the team’s combination. Earlier, he bowled many PowerPlay overs, but now India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya based on pitch and team strategy. This new structure gives India more options in the middle overs, but it also keeps Kuldeep Yadav out of the XI. If results don’t improve, experts believe India may shift back to their old approach—even though India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya remains central to their experiments.
For now, the team is still searching for the perfect balance. Whether India switch up bowling plans with Hardik Pandya stays as a long-term plan or not will depend on the next few games.
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