Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes India needs the services of firing Hardik Pandya in the upcoming T20 World Cup if they are to go all the way. Pandya holds the key as a seam-bowling all-rounder and his form is going to be crucial to India’s chances.
Pandya is currently leading Mumbai Indians in the IPL and he has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism. The right-hander has scored 129 runs in five matches at an average of 32.25 and a strike rate of 157.57 in IPL 2024.
Meanwhile, Pandya suffered an ankle injury during the 2023 World Cup match against Bangladesh in the league stage, which was a huge blow for the hosts. It is well known that Pandya is a game-changer with both bat and ball and India will want him to fire at all cylinders.
“For India to win the World Cup, they need Hardik Pandya, they need him playing well. They need to over the next few weeks get that confidence level right up to the top because India with Hardik flying have got a great chance of lifting the trophies,” Vaughan said on The Ranveer Show on YouTube.
On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has made a promising return to action after recovering from multiple injuries, which he suffered in a car accident. Pant is Delhi Capitals’ highest run-getter with 194 runs in six matches at an average of 32.33 and a strike rate of 157.72 in the ongoing season of the IPL.
“I don’t think they (India) will (win) unless they have a Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant playing well. For India to win T20 World Cup, Rishabh has to play. He has to be playing to a level that it was before injury. He is kind of getting back to that level and they need Hardik Pandya the allrounder (as well),” Vaughan said.
India will want to come up with a collective effort in the T20I showpiece and end their ICC World Cup title hoodoo. The Rohit Sharma-led team will begin their campaign against Ireland.
