India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has returned to the Indian setup after missing out on months of action. The 28-year-old has also been selected in the squad for the Asia Cup 2022. With the return of Pandya, India have grown strength to strength and looks like an unbeatable side. Pandya has shown his worth with some match-winning contributions in the past two months.
While Pandya is already an all-rounder and a perfect three-dimensional player, it seems he is ready to fill in the void created by star pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in the squad. As Bumrah has not been included in the squad due to fitness issues, Pandya showed that he can do what the pacer does for the team. Hardik tried to impersonate Bumrah during an indoor practice session.
The 28-year-old not just imitated Bumrah’s bowling action but also showed how the pacer celebrates after taking a wicket. Pandya shared the video on his social media accounts and also tagged Jasprit Bumrah. “How’s the form, Boom? 😝🤷♂️ @jaspritb1,” wrote Pandya in the caption of the post. And he got a reply from the pacer as Bumrah rated Pandya’s impersonation abilities.
Bumrah found the bowling action to be on target but he was not so convinced about the celebration. “Bowling action 🎯 celebration 🤷♂️ @hardikpandya93,” wrote Bumrah in the comment section of Hardik’s Instagram post.
He is the most important cogs in the wheel: Ravi Shastri on Hardik Pandya
As Pandya has made a roaring comeback to the Indian side and looks all set to help the team in their cause to win the Asia Cup and then the T20 World Cup, former India coach Ravi Shastri has reckoned Pandya is one of the most important cogs in the wheel of the Indian team. Shastri said that the 28-year-old brings balance to the squad.
“He (Pandya) is one of the most important cogs in the wheel as far as India is concerned," Shastri said in a press conference organised by Star Sports. “You take him out of the squad and the balance goes away. That’s how important he is. You don’t know whether to play an extra batsman or an extra bowler.”