India vs Australia 2019: 3 reasons both Hardik and Vijay Shankar should play in the T20Is

The BCCI announced India's squad for the 2 T20Is and 5 ODIs against Australia and there were a few selections and omissions which surprised us all. The home series will begin on February 24th with a T20I at Vishakapatnam and what the playing XI of India will be is a major question every fan's mind.

Of the players who have recently made it to the squad, Vijay Shankar has impressed the most. The batting-all rounder from Tamil Nadu showed real character while batting in the ODIs and did a good job when he was promoted to No.3 in the T20Is. He is no slouch with the ball and does his job cleanly and doesn't bowl too many loose balls.

India's squad for the T20I series: Virat Kohli (Capt), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Mayank Markande

Vijay Shankar will want some game-time in the T20I series before playing in the ODIs though it won't be easy with Hardik Pandya offering competition but it won't be so if the two play together.

Here are 3 reasons why India must play both Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar in the T20Is.

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#3 Provide flexibility to the batting order

Vijay Shankar showed remarkable maturity and run-scoring ability when promoted to No.3

The first thing which will happen when both Vijay and Hardik play is that it will give the Indian batting order flexibility. Vijay Shankar was promoted to No.3 in the T20I series in Kohli's absence and when quick runs were needed, batsmen like Pant or Hardik Pandya went in to bat.

The good thing about Vijay Shankar is that he can bat at almost any position and adapts to the requirement easily. Playing Hardik alongside can prove to be deadly as the latter can provide quick runs and hit big sixes whereas the former possesses solidity and good timing.

#2 Gives an additional opportunity for Vijay Shankar to prove his worth

This will be a good opportunity for him

Vijay Shankar is right now a healthy headache for the Indian selectors. The all-rounder has impressed everyone with his adaptability, resilience and confident stroke-making and he is a very economical bowler as well. Thus, team India were right in selecting him in both the ODI and T20I squads so that he is given maximum opportunities to prove himself as a good option in the limited-overs format.

India obviously can't drop Hardik Pandya for Shankar's cause because the more games Hardik plays, the better for India leading up to the World Cup. With this as the case, India should try and play both of them in the same team even if it means dropping someone like DK or Pant from the playing XI because though there's a lot of competition for that spot, Shankar seems to be a like-and like replacement for Hardik Pandya and he must be used extensively.

#1 Gives India the cushion to play an extra batsman or spinner

Vijay Shankar provides a good bowling option for India

Playing both Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar gives India yet another advantage as they have two extra seam-bowling options and don't need to play a third seamer. They can accommodate an extra batsman or a spinner or even someone like Krunal Pandya instead of playing Shami or Kaul as an extra pacer. This also works as a fail-safe for India because even if one of Hardik or Vijay fails to fire, the other one can back him up and this ensures that the team balance is maintained.

While Hardik is more of an out and out all rounder who excels equally with both bat and ball, Shankar has shown more inclination to the bat than with the ball.

This means that India have two quality all rounders who excel in both the departments and who knows, this experiment could very well pay off. Whether it does or not, there's no harm in trying!