Hardik Pandya, the bowler, has been hampered by ailments in recent years. Due to fitness difficulties, the flashy Baroda all-rounder did not bowl frequently, costing him his position in the Indian team. However, the Indian staged a stunning comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL), guiding an underdog rookie club – Gujarat Titans – to victory. His decision-making and field-setting abilities in the T20 league led to his selection as India’s captain for the two-match series in Ireland.
Hardik, who appreciates his tattoos and fancy lifestyle, currently serves as an extra bowling pick after putting in stellar performances in England. In the T20 and ODI series, the 28-year-old posted career-high figures of 4/33 and 4/24. His ability to bowl consistently may provide him with a lot of joy at the top level, but it remains to be seen if Hardik can equal the achievements of his ‘idol,’ Jacques Kallis.
Hardik had previously stated that he intended to accomplish everything for India, much like Kallis had done for South Africa. Hardik, brimming with confidence, now wishes to become India’s Hardik Pandya, prompting experienced journalist Vimal Kumar to question him, ‘Kya ab aap India ka Hardik Pandya ban gaye hain?’ (Have you become India’s Hardik Pandya?)
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“Aap bate sakte hai sir, mujhe toh nahi pata. Mera to naam hi Hardik Pandya hai… toh banne ki zarurat nahi hai Hardik. (You can tell that, sir. I don’t know. My name is already Hardik so I don’t need to become one),” replied Hardik in a video shared on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel.
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“I always do my best. If someone can’t accomplish what I’m doing right now, I may be India’s all-rounder “He continued.
“Big things begin only with a dream. This was the vision. Yes, it is satisfying. I aspire to be Jacques Kallis. What he has accomplished for the Proteas is batting and bowling. I’d like to achieve the same for India “Hardik had stated during his formative years in international cricket.
Hardik Pandya, whose batting skill was never in doubt, is playing an important role for the West Indies. He scored 31 to resuscitate India’s innings in the second Twenty20 but was dismissed for 4 in the third.
Hardik’s departure paved the way for Deepak Hooda, who teamed up with Rishabh Pant to propel India through the finish line on Tuesday. Hooda was 10 minutes away from being out, while Pant struck an undefeated 33.
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