Hardik Pandya’s Impact in White-Ball Cricket
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has heaped praise on Hardik Pandya, calling him the “backbone” of Team India. Kaif believes that Pandya’s contributions with both bat and ball make him irreplaceable in the squad.
In the fourth T20I against England, Hardik played a crucial role by smashing 53 runs, helping India post a competitive total of over 180 runs. His knock proved vital in India’s 15-run victory, reinforcing his reputation as one of the finest all-rounders in white-ball cricket.
Hardik’s Roller-Coaster Journey in Recent Years
The past couple of years have been a mixed bag for Hardik Pandya. Ahead of IPL 2024, he was appointed as the captain of Mumbai Indians, replacing Rohit Sharma. However, the decision was met with massive backlash, and he faced continuous boos at the Wankhede Stadium.
Despite the hostility, Hardik turned critics into supporters by leading India to the T20 World Cup title, bowling a crucial final over in the championship match. Many expected him to take over as India’s T20I captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. However, to everyone’s surprise, Suryakumar Yadav was chosen as the skipper, leaving Hardik not just without the captaincy, but not even as the vice-captain.
Kaif Questions Hardik’s Absence from Leadership Roles
Kaif believes Pandya deserved the leadership role, considering his strong IPL record and international performances.
“During IPL 2024, people were after Hardik Pandya’s life. He was constantly criticized and booed at Wankhede. Despite all this, he never spoke about his pain. This is the same Hardik who bowled the last over in the T20 World Cup final and cried after India won. Yet, he was not made the captain of India’s T20I team,” Kaif said in a video on X.
The former cricketer also highlighted how India struggled to replace Pandya when he got injured during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“When Hardik got injured in Pune during the World Cup, India couldn’t find a replacement for him. Mohammed Shami bowled well, but the team lacked balance with only seven batters and four bowlers. Hardik Pandya is the backbone of this team. When he is injured, there is no one who can fill his shoes,” Kaif added.
Hardik Pandya Always Delivers When Needed
Kaif further emphasized that Hardik consistently performs when the team requires him the most, both with the bat and ball.
“He scores runs when the team needs them, and he takes wickets at crucial moments. He played impactful cameos in every match of the T20 World Cup. But do you think he doesn’t feel bad? He is not even the vice-captain. Isn’t he human? Doesn’t he have emotions?” Kaif questioned.
Despite leading Mumbai Indians, winning an IPL title with Gujarat Titans, and reaching another final, Pandya has not been handed the Indian captaincy.
“In a country of 1.4 billion people, there is only one genuine all-rounder—Hardik Pandya. His skill set is unique, and India hasn’t found another player like him,” Kaif concluded.
While Pandya may not have been given the leadership role, his performances continue to prove his importance in the Indian team. Whether with the bat, ball, or as a leader, Hardik Pandya remains one of India’s most invaluable assets in white-ball cricket.
