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Only a few months ago, Hardik Pandya had to face an orchestrated booing from the fans across India. There is no proof to say whether it was paid or not. But indications are strong that someone out there didn’t want Hardik to get his strong footing as the Mumbai Indians captain. So, the booing pulled him down but not out. The booing was affecting him. He didn’t show it on his face. Hardik kept a brave face because he knows that he is a match-winner. He is what Yuvraj Singh was to Indian cricket in white ball.
Towards the fag end of the IPL, some stake-holders even questioned his commitment while media reports emerged that the lanky Baroda all-rounder isn’t 100 per cent fit to bowl. Some even said that Hardik won’t remain as the vice-captain of the Indian team.
The support staff of the Indian team knew the exact status of Hardik. The Mumbai Indian captain was told to stay fit and would only need to roll his arm to get picked in the playing XI. Three matches have gone for the Indian team and Hardik is slowly emerging as the most reliable option for captain Rohit Sharma in the pace department after Jasprit Bumrah. Not just the way he is getting wickets regularly in New York but in the way Hardik has been conquering all with the cherry.
Hardik’s favourite back to length bowling is working like magic with an occasional bumper to add to the surprise package. He is really turning out to be the man who can bail India out of any crunch situation. At least, the beginning of the T20 World Cup is suggesting that Hardik is really making it count and how!
Hardik in full throttle means that he is a sight to watch. There is no scope thereafter to miss Mohd Shami. There was no Shami in the initial part of the 2023 World Cup campaign because of the Hardik factor. Hardik adds so much balance to the team that if he isn’t bowling due to an injury or a chance is created due to a niggle, it becomes a national debate whether Hardik can play as a batter alone or does he need to bowl?
Fortunately, Hardik is bowling in full swing. His spectacular performance against Pakistan, where he could seam the ball at will, and got two wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, just when India needed those breakthroughs. Hardik again proved his worth. He dismissed big hitters like Aaron Jones and Corey Anderson in the US match, and had three another three in the first match against Ireland. India would be expecting Hardik now to get some runs also. But thus far, he has been outstanding with the ball. Truly, he is turning out to be the performer India needs the most!
