Former India wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel has voiced a critical assessment of India’s current head coach, Rahul Dravid, questioning his suitability for guiding the team in the T20 format. Patel’s comments come in the wake of India’s loss in the first two T20Is against the West Indies, highlighting concerns about the team’s performance under the new leadership of Hardik Pandya.
As India undergoes a transitional phase in T20 cricket, Parthiv Patel raises questions about the alignment between the team’s strategy and the leadership provided by Rahul Dravid. Despite the shift towards promoting young players and a changing leadership landscape, the team’s results have yet to meet the desired trajectory.
Parthiv Patel’s critique focuses on the proactive role of the head coach in T20 cricket. Patel questions whether Rahul Dravid provides the support and guidance required in the dynamic and fast-paced T20 format. He draws attention to the contrast between Hardik Pandya’s leadership experience with Gujarat Titans, where he received proactive support from coach Ashish Nehra and the current situation with the Indian team.
Parthiv said, “Hardik Pandya has been brilliant as a captain for GT, but over there he had support from Ashish Nehra as well. Is Rahul Dravid the proactive person or coach, which we are looking for in the T20 format? In my opinion, I don’t think so. We need someone who is proactive, Hardik Pandya has that spark, but he needs that support and Rahul Dravid does not provide that for him.”
Patel points out a key strategic blunder in the second T20I match against the West Indies, where captain Hardik Pandya chose not to utilize Yuzvendra Chahal’s full quota of overs. Patel emphasizes that Chahal’s effective performance in the 16th over, which led to three crucial wickets, swung the momentum in India’s favor. However, Chahal was not allowed to continue, ultimately impacting the match’s outcome.
Former Indian wicket-batter further added, “Hardik Pandya’s decision to not give Chahal the 18th over was the turning point in the match. He bowled really well in the 16th over, but he did not finish his quota of four overs. So, for me, that was something that turned the game in favour of the West Indies.”
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Not letting Chahal complete his overs was pivotal in shaping the match’s outcome. As the West Indies capitalized on the decision to use other bowlers in the death overs, they successfully chased down the target, securing a 2-0 lead in the series. Patel highlights this as a turning point and emphasizes that effective strategic decision-making is essential in the T20 format.
With West Indies leading the series 2-0, the upcoming match for India holds immense significance. Parthiv Patel’s critique adds to the pressure on the team as they face a do-or-die scenario in the third T20I. A loss would result in West Indies clinching the series victory.
