Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder of India had a tough time when he had a back surgery that kept him out of the Indian team for a long time since late 2019.
He finally got an opportunity to represent India at home against South Africa in 2020 but after the abandonment of first ODI due to persistent rain, the next two ODIs were cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic which also ensured cancellation and postponement of several series including ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2020 in Australia.
Hardik Pandya. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Hardik Pandya Performed Well In IPL 2020 After Which He Excelled Against Australia In ODIs And T20Is
Hardik Pandya then performed well as a specialist batsman in the delayed IPL 2020 and didn’t bowl to not risk aggravating his back injury. His performance with the bat coupled with other performances of batsmen like Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Quinton De Kock saw Mumbai Indians lifting their record 5th IPL trophy. Hardik Pandya amassed 281 runs in 14 games averaging 35.12 at a strike rate of 178.98- the third-highest strike rate in IPL 2020.
Hardik Pandya. Image Credit: Getty Images.
Hardik Pandya then impressed in ODIs against Australia by being highest run-scorer for India scoring 90s twice in three outings. However, India lost that ODI series by 2-1. But India won T20I series as they have an unassailable lead of 2-0 after his heroics with the bat in 2nd T20I where he scored an unbeaten 42 off 22 balls as India won by 6 wickets.
Hardik Pandya Got A Chance To Be Next Superstar: Michael Vaughan
Former England captain and batsman Michael Vaughan believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya can be the next global superstar in cricket after the likes of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. The Baroda all-rounder is of 27 years of age has represented India in 11 Tests, 57 ODIs and 42 T20Is and has left an impression by performing equally well with the bat as a finisher and ball as a wicket-taker providing breakthrough wickets.
“MS Dhoni, he had that mantle for many years. Virat Kohli has it now. It’s generally the Indian players that get put onto that pedestal and I think Hardik’s got a chance to be the next superstar,” Vaughan told Cricbuzz.
Michael Vaughan. Credits: Getty Images.
“He has to look at the next three years. With the next T20 world cup being in India, obviously, the IPL being in India, the next 50-over World Cup is in India in 2023, Hardik Pandya has got a great opportunity to become the next global superstar,” he further added.
India will play the 3rd and final T20I against Australia on Tuesday 8th December in Sydney. The all-rounder may be asked by the team management to stay for Tests although he is not included in the Test squad for 4-match series starting December 17 with a day-night affair at Adelaide.
