IND vs PAK: "Hardik Pandya Has A Mature Head On His Shoulders" - Rohit Sharma's Ultimate Praise For All-rounder

India National Cricket Team captain Rohit Sharma has showered rich praise on his deputy Hardik Pandya following India’s squad announcement for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

The Men In Blue are currently participating in the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka and they will next face Pakistan in the Super 4 stage. After the continental tournament, they will participate in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at home. The squad for the marquee tournament was announced on Tuesday, September 5, and it was along expected lines.

Two players – Prasidh Krishna and Tilak Varma – from India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad alongside reserve player Sanju Samson were left out of the squad for the World Cup.

Speaking at the press conference, Rohit Sharma said that Hardik Pandya’s form will be crucial in India’s bid to secure an elusive ICC trophy.

“His form will be crucial to us. He’s a guy who does both things (batting and bowling), and that’s important. In the last year or so he has come up with the bat and his bowling has been good too. That’s important for us,” said Rohit after chief selector Ajit Agarkar named a 15-member squad for the mega event, as quoted by TOI.

Obviously, with bowling too he’s great – Rahul Dravid on Hardik Pandya

Rohit Sharma also lauded Pandya for his exceptional batting show against Pakistan in the blockbuster Asia Cup 2023 clash. Winning the toss and batting first, India were reduced to 66/4, before Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan bailed the side out of trouble.

Both the batters looked solid in the middle against the strong Pakistan bowling attack and they stitched together 138 runs in 141 balls. Hardik Pandya scored a terrific 87 runs off 90 balls, with 7 fours and 1 six. While Ishan Kishan scored 82 runs off 81 deliveries, including 9 fours and 2 sixes. India got bundled out with 266 runs on the board and the second innings was completely washed out due to rain.

“You saw the quality in the last game against Pakistan. Ishan and Hardik put their hands up and scored well. Obviously, with bowling too he’s great. He has bowled well in the last year and a half for us. The way he batted in the last game showed that he has a very mature head on his shoulders. These are good signs for us,” said Rohit.

Rohit Sharma further spoke about India’s 15-man World Cup squad. He said that they have picked the best available players to make a perfect squad.

“We’re happy. This is the best we can do with balance and depth. We have three all-rounders in the team, 4 bowlers, and six batters. We have thought about it a lot and named this squad. This is the best combination for us,”he added.