Hardik Pandya Is Better Than Andre Russell: Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels swashbuckling batsman Hardik Pandya is better than T20 globetrotter Andre Russell.

Singh made his comments after Hardik Pandya’s whirlwind match-winning knock of 42 off just 22 balls in the second T20I of the three-match series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Coming into bat with India needing 75 to win in the remaining 6.3 overs, Hardik Pandya steered the side home with a brilliant display of caution mixed with aggression.

With India needing 25 runs off the last 12 balls, Hardik smashed back-to-back boundaries off Andrew Tye in the 19th over before laying into Daniel Sams in the final over.

”Yes, most definitely. He always had the talent. We knew he could hit big sixes. But now he has been playing consistently, he has got the idea of staying there and finishing the game,” Harbhajan Singh told India Today.

“Confidence is building every day. He is someone who is a proper finisher for Team India. He is as good as Russell, maybe better than, I would say. He is hitting sixes at will,” he added.

Harbhajan added that apart from his pure-hitting of a cricket ball, Hardik Pandya has got a potent technique as well, stating that he is not the kind of batsman who relies on only hitting sixes; he can maneuver the ball in gaps for singles and doubles, something we have seen on a consistent basis during this tour.

At the same time, he has got the technique as well. He is someone who can take singles as well. He is not someone who just likes to hit sixes. He is a very, very mature batsman, he has got a good technique. It’s good to see him taking up the responsibility and finishing off the game like he did today,” Harbhajan Singh added.

As I mentioned, he always had the talent, he has a very good technique. When he is facing the fast bowlers, he has so much time, when he is facing the spinners, he can play the big shots and at the same time, take singles. He is a very attacking player but very sensible. He knows which bowler to choose to go after. It’s good to see him showing that maturity. His batting is as good as any batsman. If he can bowl a couple of overs, it will be the icing on the cake,” Harbhajan further said.

Also Read- It Was An Incredible Spectacle Of A Game: Justin Langer On Hardik Pandya’s Match-Winning Blitz