Hardik Pandya is counted among the top cricketers in India and the reason for the same is quite obvious - his ability to change the course of a game. Ever since Pandya made his debut, he has shown dynamic abilities and has evolved into a mature cricketer now. In a country that has been searching for a perfect fast bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya came as a blessing.
The Baroda cricketer has a wide range of shots and can also consistently bowl with a speed of 140kmph. However, a time came when Pandya got injured and a comeback seemed distant for him. Questions were raised about the all-rounder and there were clouds hovering over his position in the team. The biggest question was whether Pandya will ever return as an all-rounder like before or will he get himself added to a long list of specialist batters.
The answer to this question was revealed when Pandya returned to IPL 2022 playing for Gujarat Titans. The India all-rounder not only played for Gujarat but led the team to its maiden IPL title in the debut season. Pandya scored runs for his team and took wickets as well. This helped him make a comeback to the Indian national side. Since then, the all-rounder has only climbed the ladder of success.
He led the team to a series win against Ireland, then played crucial knocks and picked wickets against England in the white-ball games, and he has continued his good form to the West Indies as well. So, Hardik Pandya, who once dreamt of emulating Jacques Kallis’ performance for South Africa while playing for India might have now set new standards. In the process, he might have also become ‘The Hardik Pandya of India’.
Answering a similar query from a journalist on the latter’s YouTube channel, Pandya gave a really humble yet savage reply. “Aap bate sakte hai sir, mujhe toh nahi pata. Mera to naam hi Hardik Pandya hai toh banne ki zarurat nahi hai Hardik.(You can tell that, sir. I don’t know. My name is already Hardik so I don’t need to become one),” said Hardik. “I try to give my best. If someone isn’t able to do what I am doing right now, I might have become India’s all-rounder,” he added.
