IND vs IRE: Wasim Jaffer namedrops Yuvraj Singh in his bold prediction of Hardik Pandya for T20 World Cup 2024

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer said that Hardik Pandya will play a pivotal role for the Men in Blue in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Wasim Jaffer drew parallels to Yuvraj Singh's match-winning performances in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.

Yuvraj Singh was instrumental in India's victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. The former Indian all-rounder was named "Player of the Tournament" in those two ICC tournaments. The Men in Blue have failed to secure the ICC trophy since the Champions Trophy 2013 win.

Hardik Pandya played crucial knocks for Team India during the 2022 T20 World Cup. He scored a crucial 40 runs against Pakistan in the group stage match. The flamboyant all-rounder scored 63 runs off 33 deliveries in the semi-final, where the Indian team was knocked out by the Jos Buttler-led team.

Hardik Pandya And Shivam Dube Will Be Very Crucial - Wasim Jaffer

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Wasim Jaffer stated that Team India will be hoping for Hardik Pandya to step up as an all-rounder. Jaffer also mentioned that Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel will play crucial roles in the tournament.

"When India won the World Cup in 2011 and 2007 (T20), Yuvraj Singh's role was very crucial. So they will be hoping that Hardik Pandya steps up as an all-rounder. The role of both Hardik and Shivam Dube will be very crucial. Even Jadeja and Axar as all-rounders will be important where you may play two left-arm spinners," Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

Hardik Pandya had a disappointing season as both a player and skipper in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Mumbai Indians (MI) finished at the bottom of the table with just four wins out of 14 matches. Hardik scored just 216 runs in 14 matches and took 11 wickets at an expensive economy rate of 10.75.

However, the 30-year-old cricketer scored an unbeaten 40 runs off 23 deliveries during the warm-up match against Bangladesh. The right-handed batter smashed three consecutive sixes off Tanvir Islam during his knock. He also picked up one wicket with the ball but conceded 30 runs in his three overs.

Three All-Rounders Will Definitely Play - Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer said that the team management should include at least three all-rounders in their playing XI. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that they could unleash Axar Patel in certain matches, especially against teams vulnerable to spin.

"I think Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja all three will definitely play. You can unleash Axar Patel too against sides that you feel are a bit weak against spin. But the aforementioned three all-rounders will definitely play according to me," Jaffer added.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will take on Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 5. The Indian team will be aiming to secure victory before the highly anticipated match against Pakistan at the same venue.

Wasim Jaffer's India Playing XI vs Ireland: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

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