Hardik Pandya, after his poor performance with his batting and bowling for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has shown his support for his former teammate.
Yuvraj Singh believes that Hardik Pandya has the potential to achieve something exceptional for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June. Despite his recent struggles with both bat and ball for the Mumbai Indians (MI), Pandya has faced challenges this season. The right-handed batter accumulated only 216 runs, averaging a mere 18.00 with a strike rate of 143.05, his highest score being 46. On the bowling front, Pandya claimed 11 wickets but with a costly economy rate of 10.75.
At 30 years old, Pandya has been named vice-captain of Team India for the ICC tournament. His last appearance for India was during the ODI World Cup 2023, where he sustained an injury in the match against Bangladesh. He made his return to competitive cricket in the IPL 2024 after recovering from his injury.
Yuvraj Singh is confident that Hardik Pandya can deliver an outstanding performance in the T20 World Cup, despite his IPL 2024 difficulties. Yuvraj highlighted that selectors evaluate players based on their overall international performances, not just their IPL form when choosing the squad.
“Well, the good thing is that the selection has been made. (Selectors see) how players have performed in international cricket and then they look at IPL form. Just not the IPL form,” Yuvraj said to ICC.
“Because if you look at the IPL form, Hardik’s not done well. Looking at his background for India, what he’s done for India, it is important that he’s in the squad,” Yuvraj added.
Yuvraj emphasized how crucial Pandya’s bowling and fitness will be for the Men in Blue at the World Cup, underlining their significance for the team’s success in this major event.
“I think his bowling is going to be important, and his fitness is going to be important. And I think he might do something really special in this World Cup,” the former all-rounder further added.
Yuvraj Singh also expressed that Shivam Dube could have a significant impact in the middle or lower middle order during the World Cup. The 42-year-old noted Dube’s consistent performances in both international T20 matches and the IPL.
“I think with Shivam Dube, the last T20 series he played for India, I think he did well. And he’s been very consistent in the IPL as well. I just felt the kind of form he’s in, it was important for him to be in the squad. I think he can make a huge difference in the middle order or the lower middle order, so it’s good to see him in the Indian T20 squad,” Yuvraj concluded.
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