Sachin Tendulkar Hardik Pandya
Sachin Tendulkar, Pandya brotherspose for a photo with the IPL trophy. (Photo: Twitter)

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been a crucial cog for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. In fact, he rose to fame after playing for Mumbai Indians and continues to grow with them. Pandya has been a part of Mumbai Indians’ success over the years. He has also contributed to the fore with the bat and ball.

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg, who has also been a part of IPL for a few years, picked up his favourites for the lucrative tournament which is going to be staged in UAE. Besides Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hogg said that Mumbai Indians have a chance to become champions again.

Hardik Pandya, Shane Bond, Mumbai Indians (MI), IPL 2020
Hardik Pandya. Credits: BCCI

Hogg said that the reason the Mumbai franchise can come at top is because they have good top fours, all-rounders and the pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga to bowl at the death. Speaking about Pandya, Hogg said that he has been out of cricket for quite some time due to injury and will come back stronger. He also said that the fact that Pandya has a ‘baby incoming’ will only act as a motivation for him.

“Well, Mumbai Indians look like they are going to be champions again. They are one of my top two teams going into this year’s IPL in UAE this year,” Hogg said on his Youtube page Hogg’s Vlog.

Read More  Babar Azam to lead Pakistan in T20 World Cup? Shaheen Afridi kept in the dark about captaincy change

“The reason for this is that they have got a good top four, they also have good allrounders and their bowling attack is stable led by two geniuses with the new ball, and in death overs – Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga,” he added.

“Also, the allrounder Hardik Pandya. He is looking to get back into cricket after a long time off due to injury. He’s also got a baby on the way as well. I just think those things will give him extra energy and he will become man of the tournament in the UAE,” he said.

Hardik Pandya
Credits: IPL

Pandya average nearly 29 in the IPL and has picked up 42 wickets at an average nearly 32. He has been an integral part of the most successful franchise in IPL — Mumbai Indians — who have clinched the title four times.

IPL 2020 will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), its chairman Brijesh Patel confirmed after the global governing council postponed the 2020 T20 World Cup to next year. IPL 2020 will get underway on September 19 with the summit clash of the lucrative tournament set to take place on November 8.