'Hardik Pandya keeps players together' - S Sreesanth takes indirect dig at Rohit Sharma

Hardik Pandya has been one of India's best performers in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 so far. Just days after the nightmarish campaign in IPL 2024, the India allrounder has proved worth his again with his brilliant bowling displays in the T20 World Cup.

All eyes were on Hardik Pandya after his struggle in the IPL but he has responded in style. He is India's highest wicket-taker in the tournament ahead of the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. He has troubled the opposition batters with his line and length on the two-paced pitch in New York and will be looking to continue his fine run.

In 3 games so far, Hardik Pandya has picked up 7 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of less than 6. With the India vice-captain doing well in the T20 World Cup, former fast-bowler S Sreesanth has heaped praise on him and has compared him with Australia allrounder Marcus Stoinis.

"The way Hardik is bowling, he doesn’t look like a part-time bowler. He can pick the new ball, and he can bowl those cutters. I think he is doing what Stoinis is doing for the Australia team, getting those crucial wickets and bowling those crucial overs. I think it is very important for an all-rounder," S Sreesanth told ANI.

S Sreesanth on trolling faced by Hardik Pandya:

S Sreesanth also spoke on the trolling and abuse faced by Hardik Pandya during the IPL campaign. The fans had targeted him throughout the campaign to express their displeasure over Rohit Sharma being replaced as the Mumbai Indians captain by him. Hardik Pandya's struggle as a captain and all-rounder only made things worse for him.

Sreesanth said that the whole country is now supporting the all-rounder and also said that he cannot be compared with any other player. He stated that Pandya has the ability to win games single-handedly with his batting, bowling, or fielding. He also said that Hardik Pandya has the ability to keep players together, seemingly taking an indirect dig at Rohit Sharma over their matter at MI.

"When you play for the Mumbai Indians, then only Mumbai was supporting him, and when he plays for India, the whole country supports him. With all due respect to fans, the energy that he brings makes us love him even more.

"There is no comparison to Hardik Pandya. That person can win you matches with fielding, he can win you matches with bowling and he can win you matches with batting. His performance gets better when the match is good. He keeps the players together. So that is a great quality. The IPL is gone, and now India is playing. I will just say the IPL was practice match, and this is to win the World Cup," said S Sreesanth.

Meanwhile, India have sealed their spot in the Super 8s already by winning their first three group games. They will be taking on Canada in their last group game in Florida before flying to the Caribbeans for the next stage of the tournament.