NEW DELHI: When India played Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup last year in Dubai, there were multiple questions asked about Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the squad as he was playing mainly as a batsman. He was not bowling at the time and failing to make an impact with the bat added further fuel to the fire. 10 months later, against the same opposition and at the same venue Hardik showed just why he was once tagged as India's next Kapil Dev when he first burst onto the international scene.
Hardik has often been criticised for not having played a role of an all-rounder when the team needed him the most. But since he made his comeback from injury to the national side in June this year, bowling again at full tilt, Hardik has emerged as a serious match-winner with both bat and ball ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia. For many, he is the most valuable player in the Indian team currently.
