ICC T20I Rankings: All-rounder Hardik Pandya climbs to fifth spot
India's Hardik Pandya climbed to his career-best fifth spot in the latest ICC T20I Rankings for all-rounders. He jumped as many as eight spots after his match-winning performance against Pakistan at the Asia Cup. Hardik was adjudged the Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 33 and taking 3/25 with the ball. India won the match by five wickets.
A look at the rankings
Hardik now occupies the fifth spot in the ICC T20I Rankings for all-rounders with 167 rating points. He is only behind Mohammad Nabi (257), Shakib Al Hasan (245), Moeen Ali (221), and Glenn Maxwell (183) in the rankings. Notably, Hardik is the only Indian on the list. The likes of JJ Smit (160), Zeeshan Maqsood (158), and Rohan Mustafa (156) follow Hardik.
Hardik unlocked this feat against Pakistan
Hardik secured India a magnificent win after scoring an unbeaten 33. The knock helped the Men in Blue chase 148 in what turned out to be a final-over thriller. He earlier took three wickets as Pakistan were bowled out. Hardik has become the first-ever Indian to register over 30 runs and three wickets in a T20I thrice.
Hardik Pandya 2.0
Fitness issues had ruled Hardik out of contention since last year's T20 World Cup. He bounced back and how. Hardik excelled across fronts in the IPL 2022 season. He racked up 487 runs and claimed eight wickets. He has been a class act ever since. One could say, Hardik is finally proving his worth on the international circuit on a consistent basis.
How has Pandya fared in 2022?
A lot was expected from Hardik in the five-match T20Is against SA, given his over-the-top performances in IPL. He dazzled with inning-wise scores reading 31*(12), 9(12), 31*(21), and 46(31). Post that, he struck a 12-ball 24 in Ireland and a career-best 51 in England. Overall, Hardik has aggregated 314 T20I runs since his return, averaging 34.88. He has also captured 11 wickets at 24.00.
What about the bowlers?
Among bowlers (T20Is), Rashid Khan's 3/22 against Bangladesh helped him jump two spots over wrist-spinners Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa. Rashid now holds the third spot, only behind Tabraiz Shamsi and Josh Hazlewood. Meanwhile, Mujeeb Ur Rahman is now ranked ninth after taking five wickets at the Asia Cup. Afghanistan became the first time to qualify for the Super 4 of the Asia Cup.
