Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg recently praised Hardik Pandya for his supportive attitude towards Suryakumar Yadav, the new captain of India’s T20I team. Hogg was impressed by Hardik’s sportsmanship and his excellent form during the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, where Pandya’s 47-run knock helped India secure a record-breaking win in the final match in Hyderabad.
Hardik’s Redemption After a Tough Year

The 2024 season began on a challenging note for Hardik, as he had to miss international matches due to fitness issues. Upon his return to cricket through the IPL, things didn’t go smoothly. After joining the Mumbai Indians and taking over as captain from Rohit Sharma, Hardik faced criticism and was even booed by fans at several venues, including Wankhede Stadium.
However, Hardik silenced his critics by playing a key role in India’s victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20I cricket after the World Cup, Hardik was seen as one of the main candidates for the captaincy. Despite this, the Indian team’s new leadership under coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar decided to hand over the reins to Suryakumar Yadav.
Hardik’s Stellar Performance Despite Missing Out on Captaincy
Despite not being chosen as captain, Hardik’s form remained undeterred. He showcased his prowess in the T20I series against Bangladesh, scoring 118 runs in three matches at a remarkable strike rate of 222.64. Hogg was particularly impressed by the camaraderie between Hardik and Suryakumar, noting that Hardik’s acceptance of the leadership decision highlighted his maturity and professionalism.
“I love the way Hardik has accepted Suryakumar Yadav as the captain. It’s not only improved his team spirit but has also enhanced his own performance with the bat. He had a rough IPL season, moving from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians, but now he’s proving his true class,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
Pandya’s All-Round Abilities Add Value to the Team
Hogg also emphasized the importance of having a player like Hardik in the squad, highlighting his ability to contribute in both batting and bowling. He noted that although Hardik may be a bit more expensive as a bowler, his all-round skills provide crucial depth to India’s T20I lineup.
“If you want to dominate in T20Is, you need medium-pace all-rounders, and Hardik brings that to the table. He might give away a few more runs than conventional bowlers, but his ability to bolster the batting lineup makes him invaluable,” Hogg concluded.