Hardik Pandya, a Ray of Hope In Fast Bowling All-Rounder's Slot
Hardik Pandya, who made his Twenty20 International debut on Tuesday, has a reputation of being a big-hitter in domestic cricket. He can bowl decent medium pace too. Ahead of the World Twenty20, it's a perfect stage for the Baroda lad to prove his mettle. He finished with figures of two for 37 on Tuesday.
Indian cricket team's search for a fast bowling all-rounder has been for long. Hardik Pandya, who was given his Twenty20 international debut against Australia in Adelaide on Tuesday, is the latest to join the list. (Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Super League: Australia-Bound Hardik Pandya Powers Baroda To Six-Wicket Win vs Vidarbha)
Against Australia on Tuesday, Pandya looked a bit shaky in the first over as he gave away 19 runs, including five wides. However, he pulled up his socks and gave away 18 runs in the next two overs, picking the wickets of Matthew Wade and Chris Lynn. He finished with figures of two for 37 in three overs. Finally India won the match by 37 runs (Hardik Pandya Wants to Carry His Good Domestic Form Into Australia Twenty20 Series)
The 22-year-old Pandya has only two years of experience in domestic circuit, but with a strike-rate of 126.07 in the Twenty20s, he is already a known name. His international debut in the shortest format is a clear indication that the team management has high hopes from him ahead of the World Twenty20 at home in March-April. (After Virat Kohli's Brilliant 90, Bowlers Help India Clinch Adelaide Twenty20 vs Australia)
Pandya came into prominence in the 2015 Indian Premier League, when playing for Mumbai Indians he hit three sixes against Chennai Super Kings to notch a memorable win. He finished the tournament, scoring 112 in nine matches, at 22.40 with a strike-rate of 180.64.
Hardik Pandya's stellar role for Baroda
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Recently, in the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy, Pandya's stellar show ensured that Baroda enter the final of the national Twenty20 competition. He ended as the top run-getter, scoring 377 in 10 matches. He also scalped 10 wickets.
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In one of those innings, Pandya hit eight sixes en route to scoring 86 not out against Vidarbha to enhance his reputation as a big-hitter.
Pandya has played 10 List A matches and 38 Twenty20 matches, scoring 261 and 880 runs, respectively. He has also five (List A) and 27 (Twenty20) wickets. In 13 First Class matches, he has 594 runs and 17 wickets.
Ahead of his Australia journey, in an interview to Indian Express, Pandya said he was confident of playing his role as all-rounder with success.
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"I have a feeling that ab India ko all-rounder ka zarurat nahi padegi (India will no longer need an all-rounder after my arrival). I have had a good preparation and whatever I have seen on television, Australia will not be difficult," said Pandya.
"My nature is such that I trust myself 200 per cent. People are saying it will not be easy for me. Even I know that, but if I don't trust myself how I will do well?."
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Pathan, Binny and now Hardik Pandya
After Irfan Pathan, Indian selectors have tried the likes of Stuart Binny in the fast bowling all-rounder's slot, but none were impressive enough. Even captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been critical on this matter.
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"We don't have a seamer all-rounder, who can give us four overs in a T20 game or for that matter 10 overs in a 50-over game and also bat as well," Dhoni said during the India-South Africa series.
Pandya has shown the potential to be the answer to those woes. And to do just to that potential, the Australia tour will be the perfect stage, where India lost the ODI series 4-1.