IND vs IRE: "There were many question marks over Hardik Pandya..." - Navjot Singh Sidhu's huge take on all-rounder

Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has silenced all his critics in style ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. He said that the more people put him down, the more he emerges and shines.

Navjot Singh Sidhu’s comments came after Hardik Pandya’s magnificent performance in India’s warmup game against Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The match between the teams took place at the Nassau Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday (June 1st).

Since the IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya has been under a lot of scanners for his poor performances. Him taking over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians from Rohit Sharma didn’t go well with fans as he was treated badly by the fans and also his performances went down.

There were lots of doubts and concerns over Hardik Pandya’s form coming into the T20 World Cup 2024. However, wearing the Indian jersey changed their fortunes for him as he came up with a magnificent performance with the bat and was decent with the ball.

Hardik Pandya scored an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls and helped his team post a big total of 182/5. Also with the ball, he bowled decent lines and lengths and also picked one wicket to help India win the game by 60 runs.

Navjot Singh Sidhu lauded Hardik Pandya for his performance in the warmup game and said that the all-rounder is a great takeaway. Speaking to StarSports, he explained:

"There were many question marks over Hardik Pandya and they have been erased. The more you try to put Hardik Pandya down, the more he emerges and shines, just like a diamond shines after being continuously rubbed. Hardik Pandya is a great takeaway."

Navjot Singh Sidhu further stated that India opening with Sanju Samson in the warmup game was an indication that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be opening in the T20 World Cup 2024. He said that if that happens, it would allow India to have an extra bowling option. He added:

"If you were going to play Yashasvi in the next match, you would have given him practice. You would have hit him in the middle. So you are making it clear that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will open, which is a good sign in a way because it gives you the option to play five bowlers, with Hardik as the sixth.”

Pant was like greased lightning - Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu further stated that Rishabh Pant has locked his place as keeper-batter in the team after the performance in the warmup game. He and that he was greased lightning and he was in full control of his innings. He added:

"You made Sanju Samson open and batted Rishabh Pant at No. 3. So you were in the catch-22 situation of who to choose between the two, and that has been cleared. He (Pant) was like greased lightning. The sort of inning Pant played, totally in control,"

"He did whatever he wanted to and also played a no-look shot. It reminded me of Rohan Kanhai. Then he hit a one-handed six. It was his day and the attitude he showed."

Rishabh Pant ended with an innings of 53 runs off 32 balls. He batted with a strike rate of over 165 and also slammed 4 fours and 4 sixes in his innings. On the other hand, Sanju Samson managed just 1 run.