Hardik Pandya 2.0: All-rounder emerges as India's most valuable player in T20Is

30.08.2022 - 11:35 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Hardik has often been criticised for not having played a role of an all-rounder when the team needed him the most. But since he made his comeback from injury to the national side in June this year, bowling again at full tilt, Hardik has emerged as a serious match-winner with both bat and ball ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

For many, he is the most valuable player in the Indian team currently. AP PhotoThe 28-year-old flamboyant cricketer seems much more relaxed and subdued now.

He lets the bat and ball do the talking and continues to silence his critics with his performances. Hardik the batter's ability to take the bowlers to the cleaners is no secret but his resurgence as bowler seems to have fixed the problem for India of having a pace bowling all-rounder.

His inclusion adds a lot of balance to the team, giving Rohit Sharma that crucial extra seamer option - something that Pakistan didn't have in their match vs India on Sunday.

cricket bowling player as Dinesh Karthik Australia India Pakistan

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"XYZ Can Say Whatever They Want...": Ravi Shastri on "No. 1 Allrounder" Hardik Pandya

The Indian cricket squad for the T20 Word Cup has already been announced. Hardik Pandya holds a special place in the 15-member squad as he is the top all-rounder in the side. Pandya has shown maturity with the bat and has been bowling fast too. Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri, in his own inimitable style, reiterated once again that Pandya is the no. 1 allrounder in the T20I format. "I have already tweeted and posted on Instagram that he is the No. 1 all-rounder in this format of the game. What else do you need? I had said it two weeks back. What else is there to add or subtract? XYZ can say whatever they want... everyone is entitled to his opinion. My view is clear, which is what I tweeted a couple of weeks ago," Shastri told Sports Tak.

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