Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has praised Hardik Pandya after he finished the game for India and helped them to a T20I series win in the second T20I. He also said that Pandya can chase down any total much like Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni used to do in their prime playing for the country. Hardik will be key once again when India take on Australia in the final T20I in Sydney on Tuesday.
Hardik Pandya’s IPL Experience Helped Him: Gautam Gambhir
Hardik Pandya scored 42 off 24 and hit two big sixes with India needing 14 to win off the final over. Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Gambhir said that Hardik played innings like these in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, which helped him to chase down the target.
“Hardik Pandya has played these kinds of innings in the Indian Premier League, and when you come into international cricket on the back of good innings in the IPL, then your confidence is very high. Pandya has played innings like these for Mumbai Indians. So, in that sense, he did not do anything new on Sunday” said Gambhir.
“There are very few players like Hardik Pandya, there was Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni earlier and there is Glenn Maxwell now, they are capable of chasing any total or any target. Even if you need 20-25 runs in the last over, these players make you believe that they can score it” he added further.
Hardik Pandya has been the best batsman for India against Australia in this tour. After scoring 210 runs in three ODIs to finish as the highest run-getter for India in the fifty-over series, Pandya has so far notched up 58 runs in two T20Is.
Despite not bowling, Pandya has been a match-winner for India with the bat alone. Indian skipper Virat Kohli said in the post-match press conference in Sydney that Pandya will be key for India in all formats in the next four to five years.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Key For India Next 4 to 5 Years: Virat Kohli
