Reetinder Singh Sodhi Reckons Hardik Pandya May Be Pivotal In India-Pakistan Game In Asia Cup 2022

May 6, 2023 at 12:31 PM

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Reetinder Singh Sodhi Reckons Hardik Pandya May Be Pivotal In India-Pakistan Game In Asia Cup 2022

Reetinder Singh Sodhi, the former Indian cricketer has tipped all-rounder Hardik Pandya to be the player to watch out for when the Men in Blue take on Pakistan in the 2022 Asia Cup on August 28.

The 28-year-old has made a sensational comeback to international cricket and has given the team great balance with his all-around ability. Hardik Pandya also won the Player of the Series in the ODIs against England and has proved to be a genuine wicket-taker of late.

Hardik Pandya has been on a roll for the Men in Blue of late with both bat and ball (P.C.:Getty)
Hardik Pandya has been on a roll for the Men in Blue of late with both bat and ball (P.C.:Getty)

Reetinder Singh Sodhi Doesn’t Rule Out Hardik Pandya To Have An Impact In The India-Pakistan Asia Cup Game

Hardik Pandya was named the Player of the Series against England as India won the ODI series 2-1. The all-rounder was at his best with both the ball and the bat, as he made 100 runs and picked 6 wickets in the series. His best of 71 and 4/24 came in the 3rd and final ODI.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi said about the in-form all-rounder: “I feel Hardik could be pivotal in the India-Pakistan game. He has been in sensational form of late and has made a great comeback to the team. So you can talk about stars like Rohit, Virat and Babar, but don’t rule out Hardik Pandya to have an impact.”

Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Hardik Pandya scored 487 runs in IPL 2022 at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.27. He also picked eight wickets at an economy rate of 7.28. Taking extra responsibility on the batting front at No. 3-4, Hardik Pandya topped the runs chart for Gujarat Titans.

He also filled in the fifth/sixth bowler’s capacity, taking 8 wickets with a healthy economy rate to dispel doubts around his bowling fitness. The right-arm seamer reserved his best for the last by delivering an impactful spell of 3 for 17 off his 4 overs in the final.

Rajkumar Sharma Reckons Absence Of Jasprit Bumrah And Shaheen Shah Afridi Would Relieve Batters Of Both Side

Two of the best bowlers in the world at the moment, Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, won’t be a part of the Asia Cup due to injuries. Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, believes it is unfortunate as the duo would have spiced up the encounter.

Shaheen Afridi (Image Credit: Twitter)
Shaheen Afridi (Image Credit: Twitter)

The 57-year-old made a tongue-in-cheek comment, saying that batters from both countries would breathe a sigh of relief.

He stated: “It is very unfortunate that neither of them (Bumrah nor Shaheen) are playing. They would have tested the batters with their attacking length and pace and would have got movement too.”

He added: “I think batters from both teams might be a bit relieved. But the game will still be a huge one and the whole world will have their eyes on it.”

Pakistan suffered a huge injury blow ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as their pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the competition due to a ligament injury in his knee. He had been on the sidelines due to the injury since July. He had sustained the injury while fielding in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

On the other hand, the reason behind Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from Team India’s squad for Asia Cup 2022 is a back injury. According to reports, Jasprit Bumrah is nowhere close to his full fitness and still needs a considerable amount of time to recover fully. With the 2022 T20I World Cup not very far away, the selectors have seemingly decided against taking any risk.

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