After hammering Hardik Pandya relentlessly, Irfan Pathan highlights all-rounder's importance in India's T20 WC success

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lauded Hardik Pandya for his bowling performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He believes that the vice-captain being in full flow with the ball will allow India to play Kuldeep Yadav in the XI going ahead into the Super 8 stage.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in sensational form with the ball in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He has chipped in as fourth seamer terrifically in the ongoing tournament and his form has been one of the main reasons behind the team's dominance in the tournament.

Hardik Pandya has chipped in with the ball in every game for his team. He leading wicket-taker for India in the ongoing tournament, having picked seven wickets from three matches at an average of 9.28 and an economy of 5.41, helping the team win three games.

Hardik Pandya started the tournament pretty well with the ball. The all-rounder picked up 3/27 against Ireland and then followed it up with the figures of 2/24 against Pakistan and then 2/14 against the USA. His presence with the ball has been extremely vital for India.

Irfan Pathan lauded Hardik Pandya as the bowler in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He noted that the all-rounder's ability to bowl hard lengths will prove to be vital on the pitches in West Indies as the pacer can use cutters as well. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

"I think the kind of length he bowls, it’s perfect for dry conditions. Because he pitches the ball slightly on a shorter side but the line has to be in the stumps. If he does that, especially in pitches like West Indies where he can use those cutters and bowl those bouncers and hard lengths. It will be difficult to get away. That’s why him being in form as a bowler is very very important."

"You might wanna get in Kuldeep"- Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan further talked about the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the Indian XI. He said that although Hardik Pandya hasn't proven with the bat yet but his bowling form will allow management to bring in a wrist-spinner. He believes that Arshdeep Singh along with Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya as third pacer will be good for India. He added:

"Yes, batting needs to come to the fore because there will be a time in the knockout games when his batting will be required. By that time, hopefully, he will get some runs which he’s not got so far. But him being in the form as a bowler is so crucial because by the time we go to West Indies, you might wanna get in Kuldeep and when you’re getting Kuldeep one of the fast bowlers goes out. Three fast bowlers firing all cylinders will be really good for the Indian team."

Kuldeep Yadav hasn't played a single game so far in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. But with the Super 8 stage set to take place in the Carribean, he is likely to find a place in the team as pitches favor spin there.