Hardik Pandya has not been having the best of Indian Premier League seasons – be it with the bat, ball or even in the capacity as a leader. The Mumbai Indians captain has scored 197 runs and taken just six wickets in 10 games with his team languishing in the ninth spot.
Sunil Gavaskar though feel there is no reason to get overly worried about Pandya’s form going into the T20 World Cup, saying the allrounder will be a ‘different player’ in national colours.
Pandya has been appointed as vice-captain of the 15-member world cup squad announced on Tuesday.
India Squad for T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan
Complete List of T20 World Cup 2024 Squads
“There’s a big difference playing in the IPL and playing for your country. Playing for your country brings out something different in every player and Hardik Pandya will be a different player,” said Gavaskar on Sports Today.
“He’s had to face a lot of issues in this particular tournament (IPL), he’s handled it quite well. When he goes overseas and has to play for India, I think he will be in a completely different frame of mind.
“And that’s going to be a much more positive frame of mind than maybe what we have seen here in this tournament. So, Hardik Pandya will make a contribution with both bat and ball in this tournament,” he added.
Pandya has been leading MI this season after making a stunning return from Gujarat Titans, a franchise he captained for two seasons.
Gavaskar has no doubts that the Rohit Sharma-led India will do well in the marquee event and the team has the capability to bring back the World Cup.
“I don’t know the reason but this Indian team looks a very good team, no question about it. Its got plenty of experience, they’ve got some real big hitters, they’ve got variety in bowling as well,” he said.
“They are title contenders, without a question. At the international level, sometimes you need a bit of luck and if this Indian team has just that little bit of luck, then I’m very confident that after 2007 (triumph), the T20 World Cup will come back to India,” he added.
Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024
Gavaskar felt the IPL 2024 would stand Indian players in good stead at the T20I showpiece slated to be held in June.
“They’ll go with good rhythm (following the IPL); the bowlers would have bowled a fair bit of overs, the batters will have enough time out in the middle, some of them would have scored 80s, 90s 100s,” Gavaskar said.
“So, clearly, this team will go with that little break… a week break (between the conclusion of IPL and start of the World Cup). With that little break, they will be a little bit refreshed, but at the same time not rusty,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Comments
0 comment