By: Kshitij Kumar
May 25, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Hardik Pandya is one of the top-drawer all-rounders in the Indian cricketing circles. He has obliterated bowlers with his power-hitting might and dismantled bowling attacks. Also, the ace all-rounder has been phenomenal with the ball and provided the Men in Blue with crucial breakthroughs. However, he has endured a dismal campaign in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League.
Appointed as the captain of Mumbai Indians, Hardik failed to rise to the occasion and MI could only win four out of 14 matches. Besides leadership, the Indian all-rounder was mediocre with bat and ball. Despite his recent form, Indian selectors picked Hardik for the T20 World Cup 2024 and appointed him the vice-captain.
Parthiv Patel has also backed Hardik to come good in the upcoming marquee tournament. The former Indian player has stated that Hardik is a different beast in the Indian colours and he will be vital to the Men in Blue at the World Cup. Explaining his point, he also mentioned that his fast-bowling prowess and spin-hitting ability will be important to the national team.
"Obviously, he will be completely different player once he gets into that Indian team jersey. There is no doubt he did not have a good IPL season but he is very crucial to the Indian team. You know, having a fast bowling all-rounding option and his hitting ability to spin on other grounds which are not that big in West Indies, so Hardik Pandya can play a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup campaign," said Parthiv.
Hardik featured in 14 games in the 17th IPL edition and could only amass 216 runs at a strike rate of 143.05. Coming to the bowling front, the star player took 11 wickets but leaked runs at an economy of 10.75. With the World Cup around the corner, the ace all-rounder will need to get back to his best for India to lift the trophy.
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