ICC World Cup 2023: "Hardik Pandya Is An Extremely Crucial Cog In India's Dream Of Success" - Aakash Chopra
Published - 16 Aug 2023, 02:23 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that vice-captain Hardik Pandya will play a crucial role for the Rohit Sharma-led team in the upcoming World Cup at home. Aakash Chopra highlighted that Hardik Pandya is the only fast-bowling all-rounder in the current Indian setup.
The upcoming ODI World Cup is set to be hosted by India in October and November. The Men in Blue clinched the title in the last ICC tournament in the 50-over format. All-rounder Yuvraj Singh played a crucial role in that World Cup and was rewarded with the Player of the Series award.
Hardik Pandya Could Be That Game-Changer – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra mentioned that Hardik Pandya can bring value to the team in various roles as both a batter and a bowler.
“Let’s establish the fact that how important he is for India. There is only one Hardik Pandya in the country, who can bowl fast, can bowl with the new ball and in the middle, has the ability to bowl at nearly 140 kph, and then bats and there too has the ability to bat down the order,” Chopra said.
“I really think that he could be that game-changer. His doing well is directly related to India doing well. If we have to win the World Cup, the focus will be on the all-rounders’ performances and among them, he is an extremely crucial cog in India’s dream of success,” he added.
Hardik represented India in 77 matches in his seven-year international career. He scored 1666 runs in 58 innings with an average of 33.32 and a strike rate of 112.03. He also contributed with the ball, taking 73 wickets at an economy rate of 5.59.
Don’t Get An All-rounder Of That Quality – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said it will be difficult for the team to find a similar kind of player like Hardik Pandya who can contribute equally in both departments.
“We try to find someone like him. If we get Shardul (Thakur), we get a bowling all-rounder. If we see Vijay Shankar and Shivam Dube, they are not bowling. So you don’t get an all-rounder of that quality. A fast-bowling all-rounder and the ability to finish, there is no one like Hardik.”
“You get spin-bowling all-rounders, whether it is Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel or Washington Sundar. I am talking about white-ball cricket or else I would have taken (Ravichandran) Ashwin’s name as well.”
The selectors will select Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja as the first-choice all-rounders for the World Cup. Shardul Thakur might get a chance, while Axar Patel’s inclusion will depend on the spin combination.
Tagged:
Aakash Chopra Hardik Pandya ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 ICC World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team
