Hardik Pandya has been praised by Sanjay Manjrekar for his resiliency during a lackluster IPL 2024 campaign for the Mumbai Indians (MI). The all-rounder with seam bowling struck an undefeated 40 off 23 deliveries in India’s decisive 60-run victory against Bangladesh in their 2024 T20 World Cup warm-up match.
On Saturday, June 1, in New York, after Rohit Sharma chose to bat first, the Men in Blue set the Bangla Tigers a goal of 183 runs. Subsequently, the first-ever T20 World Cup winners shut down Najmul Hossain Shanto and his team to 122/9, easily winning their lone pre-event match.
Hardik Pandya the Indian cricket team vice-captain struggled with form at the IPL 2024. But against Bangladesh, he struck a quick-fire 23-ball 40. Coming to bat at No. 6, Pandya’s innings included four sixes and two fours. The highlight was his three straight sixes against Tanvir Islam.
Hardik Pandya Has Been Consistent For India In The Big Stages
Manjrekar noted in his Star Sports game review that Hardik has consistently performed well for India on the grand stage and possibly had shown signs of temperamental decline while representing the Mumbai Indians.
“I have been repeatedly saying, even before this match, if you see Hardik Pandya’s performances in World Cups, he played the all rounder’s role very well in the 2019 World Cup, he had a main performance in the India-Pakistan match on the big stage, and see his performance with the bat in the semi-final India lost in Adelaide, he scored 60 runs at a strike rate of 190,” he said
“What happened in the IPL was a slight temperamental issue because he was feeling the pressure from outside. The environment might not have been good. I am not at all surprised that he will feel slightly relaxed and relieved after donning India’s and not the Mumbai Indians’ blues. He has the ability and I am repeatedly saying that he is a big-match player,” the former India batter added
Exceptional Track Record In World Cups – Sanjay Bangar
Sanjay Bangar concurred with Manjrekar that Hardik Pandya is a big match player
“You shouldn’t see what he has done earlier when he is playing for India. You should definitely see what he has done for India. His record in World Cup cricket is exceptional. Whether he is playing Test cricket, 50-over or 20-over format for India, he has given fantastic performances in all three formats,” he said.
The former India batting coach noted that the all-rounder provides the requisite balance to the side.
“There was a phase in the middle for sure where he got injured and because of that he couldn’t play much, but whenever he comes, the Indian team’s balance becomes much better,” Bangar stated
Hardik Pandya’s 40-run knock on Saturday was undefeated and included two fours and four sixes. Despite taking a wicket, he gave up 30 runs in his three overs.