Former Indian fast bowler S. Sreesanth reckons Hardik Pandya can replicate Yuvraj Singh’s performances of the 2011 World Cup in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Singh was awarded Player of the Tournament for his all-round performance. The left-hander had scored 362 runs in nine matches and also picked up 15 wickets in the ODI showpiece to take India to glory.
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya has been in solid form in the ongoing T20I World Cup. Pandya didn’t have a great run while leading Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 however he has turned the tables in the World Cup.
Pandya has scalped eight wickets in six matches of the ongoing tournament at an average of 19.62 and an economy rate of 7.47. Furthermore, the right-hander has scored 116 runs in four innings at an average of 58 and an impressive strike rate of 145 while batting at number six.
Sreesanth feels India can go all the way in the ongoing T20 World Cup and Pandya is going to hold the key as an all-rounder.
“The last conference where he (Rohit Sharma) said Hardik Pandya is a key player in the team. What Yuvraj Singh did in the 2011 as an all-rounder, with bat, with ball and his fielding, I think Hardik is very much capable of doing that in this T20 World Cup. I think none of us will be surprised if Rohit lifts the trophy,” Sreesanth said on Star Sports.
Meanwhile, Pandya scored a fine knock of 50 runs off 27 balls against Bangladesh and helped India in posting 196 runs on the board. Moreover, he added the finishing touches with a 17-ball 27 cameo against Australia to help his team go past the 200-run mark.
India will face England in the second semifinal at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Thursday.
