Here's what Virender Sehwag has to say about Hardik Pandya
Ever since Hardik Pandya made his debut for the Indian team, he has filled the void of the finisher, owing to his hard-hitting abilities. He has also displayed sound bowling skills, making him an important all-rounder for India. As he prepares to play a crucial role in India's ICC World Cup 2019 campaign, here's what former player Virender Sehwag had to say about him.
Pandya enjoyed a decent IPL 2019 campaign
As far as his IPL 2019 performance goes, he played a vital role in the fourth title of Mumbai Indians. He scored 402 runs from 15 innings at a healthy average of 44.66 and a strike-rate of 191.42. Talking about his bowling, he was equally impressive, claiming 14 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 27.85 and an economy-rate of 9.17.
Sehwag: "There is no one even closer to Pandya's talent"
"There is no one even closer to Hardik Pandya's talent. If there was someone even closer to him, the three-dimensional players picked by BCCI, were even closer to him, Pandya would not have made it back into the team," Sehwag said to CricketNext.
Pandya rose to fame in England
Fans would remember that Pandya's break-through came during the ICC Champions Trophy in England in 2017. He scored 105 runs in three innings at an average of 52.50. He had the best strike-rate in the tournament (194.44). He even scored a half-century. Overall in England, he has scored 147 runs in eight ODIs at a decent average of 36.75, including a half-century.
Pandya has been shaky in ODIs of late
Taking into consideration his ODI form prior to the IPL, he was a bit shaky. He scored just 112 runs in six innings at an average of 18.66, while his top score was 45 With the ball, he managed to claim just nine wickets at an economy of 5.47. However, his love for English conditions is likely to help him in the World Cup.
Pandya's talent and brutal form could be India's USP
While Pandya might have been less effective than expected in the ODIs in 2019, his rise to form during the IPL would certainly be a confidence-booster, for both him and the Indian team. Moreover, with the pitches expected to be flat in England, Pandya is likely to be lethal with the bat in World Cup, as was evident during the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
