ICC World Cup 2019: Who should India choose between Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar?

Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar

On the other hand, Hardik’s replacement Vijay Shankar has not let the opportunities pass by. With his limited outing, the Tamil Nadu man has managed to impress the selectors on almost every occasion. Let’s review what works and what does not in his favour for his selection.

Strengthens the middle order

Though he is a pace bowling all-rounder, the team management has entrusted him more with the bat than the bowling. With his excellent batting performances, the team management may just consider him to strengthen India’s biggest concern this season – the very wobbly middle order. In fact, he may just end up playing at the most talked about batting slot - the number 4 spot, considering Ambati Rayudu’s inconsistent performances.

Inexperience

Though, he has performed up to the expectations of the team management however has played very limited (15 International matches). Considering the mega event, team India will ideally want an experienced player to absorb the intense pressure and deliver results for the team.

Not impressive with bowling yet

Apart from the very last successful over in the recently concluded 2nd ODI against Australia, he has not set the world on fire with his bowling. Despite being a pace bowling all-rounder, he has not really made a big impression with his bowling skills and leaves a lot to be desired on that front. Though he looks promising, he is yet to prove himself as a genuine bowling option. Until and unless he turns things around in the remaining 3 ODIs with his bowling, at this stage, the team management will not be able to rely on him being a genuine bowling option.

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Final word

It may sound interesting to compare the two all-rounders, however, at this stage of their respective careers, they offer different services to Team India. Hardik Pandya is more of a bowling all-rounder, who can smash the ball around in the last overs, whereas Vijay Shankar has proved himself to be a lot more of a batting all-rounder, who can bowl 4-5 overs in the game. Considering their all-round skills, it will not be surprising if they both make it to India’s 15 member squad for the ICC World Cup