Sanjay Bangar, a former batting coach for India, feels that Hardik Pandya is the best player in the national T20 lineup because the outstanding all-rounder can command a berth in the team even if he is only used as a specialist bowler or batter.
Pandya rejoined the Indian team for the home five-match T20I series against South Africa in Cuttack on Tuesday after missing more than two months owing to a quadricep injury sustained during the Asia Cup.
Pandya came up with a match-winning performance smashing 4 sixes and 6 fours in his unbeaten 59-run knock that came off 28 balls. And later also took a wicket in the South Africa run chase.
“Look at all the all-rounders in world cricket now. Does England have a back-up for Ben Stokes? No. In one-day or even Test cricket, there is no back-up for Ravindra Jadeja. It is the same with Hardik Pandya,” JioStar expert Bangar said.
“He (Pandya) can command a spot in the top five on his batting alone. He could also be one of the top three seamers in any team if he was just a bowler.
“The point is, to be that kind of all-rounder, you must earn your place with your batting and also with your bowling. There is no other player like Hardik Pandya in the Indian team.”
Bangar stated that Pandya should play at least the first three games against South Africa in order to control his workload.
“We need to see how he copes,” he said, insisting that it is too early to say if he should play six or seven T20Is before the World Cup.
“Playing in the SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) is different from the intensity of an international game. The team management must manage the workload of important players like him.
“So, if needed, we must do that for Hardik too. A fit Hardik Pandya allows the team to play its desired combination, especially with the spin options we have. That’s why his presence is critically very vital.”
Pandya bowled four overs at full throttle for 1/52 after making a 42-ball 77 not out for Baroda in SMAT prior to India’s return.
After missing nearly a month of cricket due to a neck spasm sustained while attempting a slog sweep during the opener Test against the Proteas, Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill also made a comeback.
Gill’s development as Test captain will help him in other forms, according to Bangar.
“The confidence Shubman Gill has now after doing so well in Test cricket over the last year will certainly help him. More than his skill, his mindset has grown. Taking extra responsibility as a Test Captain makes him a far more rounded player. He now understands the game situation and what is needed from him.
“At the top of the order, Shubman Gill could do the job for the team in T20I cricket. And if needed, Hardik Pandya could do a similar job in the middle order.”
