Sunil Gavaskar Believes Hardik Pandya Is Going To Be The Game Changer For India In T20Is

Jun 11, 2022 at 12:48 PM

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Sunil Gavaskar Believes Hardik Pandya Is Going To Be The Game Changer For India In T20Is

Sunil Gavaskar believes Hardik Pandya will be a game-changer for Team India in T20Is going forward. The former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar even wants the all-rounder to bowl with the new ball on a few occasions.

Hardik Pandya was left out of the Indian team due to fitness-related issues after the T20I World Cup 2021. The Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper was recalled to the Indian side for the ongoing 5 matches T20I series against South Africa based on his all-around displays in IPL 2022, including leading the new franchise Gujarat Titans to the title.

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (Credits: Twitter)

Sunil Gavaskar Believes Hardik Pandya Is Going To Be The Game Changer For India

During a discussion, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Hardik Pandya is immensely valuable to Team India.

The cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar said: “I think he is going to be the game-changer for India, more often than not, in all the matches that are due to come, not just the World Cup but every single match that India plays, whether he bats at No. 5, whether he comes into bowl at first change or second change.”

“Sometimes I will actually want to see him with the new ball,” said Sunil Gavaskar.

Sunil Gavaskar. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Sunil Gavaskar. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Hardik Pandya bowled with the new ball on a few occasions for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2022. However, he is unlikely to open the bowling for Team India, considering the plethora of options with the new ball at their disposal, unless they look to get one over from the sixth bowler out of the way.

Hardik Pandya stayed unbeaten on 31 runs in 12 balls in the 1st T20I. Hardik Pandya’s late charge and Ishan Kishan’s 76 off 48 balls helped India score 211/4, which is their highest ever score in a T20I against South Africa.

But the Proteas systematically went about chasing the target down. Dwaine Pretorius gave them the early impetus after which an unbeaten 131-run stand-off 64 balls between David Miller and Rassie Van der Dussen helped South Africa chase down the target with five balls to spare.

Graeme Smith Feels All-Round Package Of Hardik Pandya Gives India Options In Selection

Graeme Smith was asked if Team India needs Hardik Pandya the finisher more than Hardik Pandya the bowler.

The former South African skipper replied: “No, I disagree. You need the finisher as well but I think the all-round package of Hardik Pandya gives India options in selection.”

Graeme Smith then highlighted the balance Hardik Pandya brings to the Indian side, explaining: “It might give you the option of playing the extra spinner or a bowler less and strengthen your batting and going into the World Cup, I think having him as a full-blown all-rounder is key to the balance of India’s team.”

Graeme Smith Image Source : ICC
Graeme Smith Image Source: ICC

Team India’s balance was certainly compromised when Hardik Pandya was out due to injury. They tried the likes of Venkatesh Iyer as batting all-rounders but they fell short of the Baroda all-rounder’s lofty standards.

Chasing a mammoth total of 212, the Proteas were reeling at 81 for 3 when Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller joined hands. Rassie van der Dussen top-scored for his team, scoring 75 off 46 balls while David Miller slammed 64 off just 31 balls. The Temba Bavuma-led side took a 1-0 lead with a win in the first T20I. The teams will meet at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack for the next match on June 12 (Sunday).

Brief Scores: India 211/4 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 76, Shreyas Iyer 36; Wayne Parnell 1/32, Dwaine Pretorius 1/35) lost to South Africa 212/3 in 19.1 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 75 not out, David Miller 64 not out; Axar Patel 1/40, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/43) by seven wickets

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