Former Indian selector Jatin Paranjpe has showered praise on all-rounder Hardik Pandya amid the ongoing T20 World Cup. Paranjpe said Pandya is a vital cog in India’s wheel as he has delivered the goods consistently for the team.

Pandya has scored 87 runs in four matches of the ongoing tournament at an average of 21.75 and a strike rate of 155.35. Furthermore, Pandya has scalped five wickets in four matches of the T20I showpiece.

“The guy who takes this Indian team to a different level altogether is Hardik Pandya. Without him, this Indian team is half as good as it is with him in it. Hardik’s improvement over the last 12 months has shown that he is just so focused on his game. He is not letting the outside chatter get to him at all,” Paranjpe told news agency IANS.

Pandya has amassed 2158 runs and has scalped 110 wickets in 133 T20Is for India.

“He has been through so much in his personal life as well. But he is one player, and I am a big fan of his for that, who has improved tremendously with the bat, with the ball, with the field, and with his body. So, Hardik is the key to India’s fortunes,” Paranjpe said.

The former Indian selector said Jasprit Bumrah also holds the key for India in the World Cup. Bumrah has taken four wickets in three games at an economy rate of six and at an average of 13.50.

“Along with Hardik, according to me, Jasprit Bumrah is also going to be in top form. I have noticed him, he is looking leaner, he has lost weight, he is looking fitter. These are the tournaments for great players like him and great all-rounders like Hardik to really come to the party and get it done when it matters most,” he said.

India will take on South Africa in their opening game of the Super 8 stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.