In November 2021, with a chronic injury reducing him primarily to a batter who could bowl a bit, many feared whether Hardik Pandya would be able to revive his international career.
Cut to October 2023, and the all-rounder could well emerge as the key to India’s World Cup campaign. Having gone through a rigorous rehab and training programme, changed his approach and lifestyle, Hardik 2.0 has resurfaced as a composed and reliable player.
No wonder then that captain Rohit Sharma is heavily dependent on his deputy to continue his dream run for the next two and a half months, starting with India’s first Asia Cup Super Four outing against arch-rival Pakistan here on Sunday.
