For the home side, the absence of skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who has been sidelined for a week to 10 days due to a shoulder injury, will put more pressure on the non-performing top order to come of age, and rub off the dust from their bats.
The Statesman understands that the selectors will be looking at adding balance to the side, and in the current scenario, Dube’s stats make him an automatic choice over Pandya, who has been struggling ever since his return to action.
Pollard rated Pandya as one of the great “all-rounders” India has ever produced, and believed that fans will ‘sing praises for him’ soon.
A contest against a floundering RCB could not only bring about their second successive win but also provide them the cushion of confidence, before facing defending champions Chennai Super Kings.
When Mumbai Indians kicked off their IPL 2024 campaign in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans, the team that Hardik led for the past couple of seasons, and took them to two finals, besides winning the 2022 edition, the fans booed Hardik,
Pandya recently guided Gujarat Titans to IPL glory by leading from the front and showed his captaincy and all-round skills in ample measure during the white-ball series against Ireland.
Pandya first starred with the ball before joining forces with Pant at a crucial juncture in the run chase as the two batters added 133 for the fifth wicket to set up India's five-wicket win.
Pandya carried his superb form from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the recently concluded Ireland series into the game against England, leading the visitors to a massive 198/8 in 20 overs before returning to bowl a fiery spell that saw the hosts bundled out for 148 in 19.3 overs.
With Pandya stressing after the first match that India are firmly focusing on the road to Men's T20 World Cup, to be hosted by Australia in October-November, they will be keen to test more players in the second T20I.
Hardik recently returned to the India squad for the T20I series against South Africa, where he made some critical contributions. His selection followed a sensational IPL season with the Gujarat Titans, where he proved his form and fitness by leading them to the title.
