Hardik Pandya is India’s go-to all-rounder in the lead up to the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia this year because of his hunger for wickets and his hard-hitting batting. Pandya has bounced back from controversies and injuries to become India’s go-to all-rounder.
Hardik Pandya is India’s go-to all-rounder in the lead up to the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia this year because of his hunger for wickets and his hard-hitting batting. Pandya has bounced back from controversies and injuries to become India’s go-to all-rounder. Pandya kept his cool with an unbeaten 33 and smashed the winning six in the final over of a tight pursuit of 148 on Sunday, helping India beat their bitter rivals Pakistan and get off to a strong start in the Asia Cup T20 event. Earlier, when he had the ball in his possession, he got three wickets out of twenty-five, and he and his partner fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared seven wickets to set up the victory chase in front of a sold-out crowd at the Dubai International Stadium.
He was referred to as the “New cool king in town” by the Indian Express newspaper, and veteran pundit Harsha Bhogle stated that there are “few better than him in this style.”
Pandya’s success should not come as a surprise given that he just recovered from a back injury to lead the Gujarat Titans to victory in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May.
The flamboyant batsman, who is 28 years old and is fond of getting tattoos and wearing fancy watches, has admitted in the past that he enjoys living a “kingsize” lifestyle.
Pandya, who hails from the western state of Gujarat, was written off as a brash cricketer after he was suspended in 2019 for making misogynistic comments on a television show.
However, the detractors have been proven wrong by his performances on the field, which has allowed him to repay the faith shown in him by the management of the India squad.
After India’s five-wicket victory, Pandya commented on the website of the country’s cricket governing body that he was “grateful that we are getting this opportunity and that we are able to achieve this because our process is not just for today but for the future World Cup.”
“If we find ourselves in a similar circumstance again, you can be sure that we will recall this match.”
Even though there were just two balls left to spare when Pandya scored the winning six off of left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, he said that he felt “no pressure” when India required seven runs off of the final over. He said that he had felt “no pressure” during that time.
“I will pray that he performs like this in the World Cup and it will be good for us,” said Kumar, who took four wickets. “The way he has batted and bowled in the last few series, I will pray that he plays like this and it would be good for us.”
Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja put on a crucial fifth-wicket stand as life came full circle for the player who was stretchered off the field at the same venue in a group match against Pakistan during the 2018 Asia Cup. Ravindra Jadeja and Pandya put on the partnership.
It was the beginning of Pandya’s struggle with a back ailment, which ultimately resulted in him being required to play mostly as a batsman in the Twenty20 World Cup that was held in the United Arab Emirates the previous year.
“I was able to recall everything. I was getting ready to go on a stretcher, and we were using the same changing room “Pandya said. “Because of the way things worked out and the path that led to this chance, I have a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
“The road has been great, and we are reaping the rewards of our labour, but I believe that credit should be given to the behind-the-scenes guys,” said Nitin Patel, the physiotherapist, and Soham Desai, the strength and training coach.
The legendary cricket player Sachin Tendulkar of India tweeted: “Even though the pacers on both teams bowled brilliantly up front, the game came down to the fitness of the fast bowlers as they were put under duress.
“Hardik’s crucial knock to remain until the end and get us over the line, well supported by Imran Jadeja and Virat, helped us win the game. Congratulations on squeaking by in the nick of time!”
Pandya was recalled for the Twenty20 series against South Africa in June after he demonstrated his fitness throughout this year’s Indian Premier League by scoring 487 runs and taking eight wickets in 15 matches.
