'Runs apne liye hain...' - Navjot Singh Sidhu's blunt verdict on Hardik Pandya's PoTM performance vs Bangladesh

Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu was all praises for Hardik Pandya before India's last Super 8 match against Australia in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. Hardik Pandya was the Player of the Match against Bangladesh for his superb all-round performance.

In the first innings, Pandya shone with the bat and scored an unbeaten 50 off 27 balls, which included 4 fours and 3 massive sixes. He came to bat when India were under slight pressure at 108-4. Pandya stitched a 53-run partnership with left-hander Shivam Dube to bring India's innings back on track.

He then picked up Bangladesh's first wicket in the form of opener Litton Das. Das has a good record against India and was looking good in this game as well. But he was dismissed for just 13.

Also read: 'Don't know why they hype Bangladesh' - Virender Sehwag launches fresh attack on Shakib Al Hasan-starrer team

Navjot Singh Sidhu compares Hardik Pandya to former India greats

After the match, commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu compared Hardik Pandya to former India greats Madan Lal, Roger Binny, and Mohinder Amarnath. While speaking on Star Sports, Sidhu mentioned that Hardik Pandya is a different beast when he is playing for India in a World Cup 

"His performance is as big as the stage. He picks up wickets when he is bowling, he scores runs when he is batting. These are the kind of all-rounders who were there in the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, like Madan Lal, Roger Binny, and Mohinder Amarnath. They come in very handy," Sidhu said.

"There is a huge difference between Hardik Pandya in the IPL and in the World Cup. He has a match-winning impact, he has an impact of a game-changer. The runs scored by him are not for himself, but all for the team's win. This is the best thing, he added.

Sidhu also issued a warning that Team India is ready for challenges from Australia and England. "If the trailer is so good, then imagine how the film will be. We are ready for the challenges against teams like Australia and England," he concluded.

Hardik Pandya - The game changer! 🤩@sherryontopp is all praise for @hardikpandya7's match winning performance in the 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 against Bangladesh! 🇮🇳💙

Onto #������������������������������������������������ NOW 👉 #AUSvIND | TOMORROW, 6 PM | #T20WorldCupOnStar pic.twitter.com/vr37BgPt7O

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 23, 2024

Hardik Pandya provides India with a crucial all-round option and gives the team a much-needed balance to play an extra bowler. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, he suffered a freak injury in the game against Bangladesh, after which he could not take any further part in the tournament.

India dominate Bangladesh, move closer to the semis

Meanwhile, in the T20 World Cup 2024, India registered an emphatic victory over Bangladesh to move to the top of Group 1. After posting 196-5 batting first, Indian bowlers continued their good work to restrict Bangladesh to 146-8.

Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3 wickets while Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh picked up 2 wickets each as India won the match by 50 runs. Hardik Pandya was adjudged the Player of the Match for his blistering half-century and a crucial wicket with the ball.

India will now face Australia in the last Super 8 match on June 24 in St. Lucia. This will be a do-or-die match for Australia, who suffered a shocking defeat to Afghanistan.