Hardik Pandya Will Be The Most Important Player For India In This World Cup: Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina believes Hardik Pandya could be India’s game-changer at the upcoming World Cup. The Baroda allrounder was in red-hot form in this year’s Indian Premier League, playing a big role in Mumbai Indians’ march to the title. The allrounder impressed with both bat and ball to finish the competition as one of the most impactful players.

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More often than not, Pandya bailed out Mumbai Indians with his stunning power-hitting. He was equally impressive with the ball and gave his side crucial breakthroughs throughout the competition. He faced just 210 balls in the competition but still ended up hammering 402 runs at a strike-rate of over 190.  With the ball too, he was effective as he picked up 14 wickets and as usual, he was flawless with his fielding.

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Impressed with Pandya’s displays in the IPL, Suresh Raina, a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, feels that the allrounder could be India’s main man at the World Cup. Raina, in fact, went on to say that he would not be taken aback if Pandya scoops the prestigious Man of the Tournament award.

“He can field and bat well, can bowl 6-7 crucial overs. He can bat anywhere. He needs to get a lot of confidence from the management to express himself. If he can take his IPL confidence to the World Cup, he will be our game-changer,” Raina told PTI.

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“I think he will be the most important player for India in this World Cup. I won’t be surprised if he gets the man of the tournament, should we make the last-four,” he added.

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The World Cup, meanwhile, will start on May 30 with hosts England taking on South Africa in the tournament-opener. India, on the other hand, will play their first game on June 5 against South Africa. Before that, the Men in Blue will play a warm-up game against Bangladesh on May 28. India have already lost their first warm-up game at the hands of New Zealand and will be looking to get back to winning ways.

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