Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra called all-rounder Hardik Pandya as India’s most valuable player in the shortest format of the game. His comments came after Hardik’s heroics in the game against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022. He said that Pandya’s counterattack against Mohammad Nawaz forced Pakistan to think differently.
Hardik Pandya plays a vital role with both bat and ball as India wins the game by 5 wickets
In a game, where Virat Kohli stole the show, Hardik Pandya was also a little light at the end of a long tunnel for Team India. Not only with the ball, but he played a crucial role with the ball as well as he turned supported Kohli well and stitched a crucial partnership with him.
Hardik first bowled a sensational spell with the ball as he dented Pakistan’s chances of posting a big total. He removed Shadab Khan, Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz to return with the figures of 3/30 in his quota of 4 overs.
If this was not enough, he then played great innings with the bat as well. Pandya came to bat when India was tumbling at 31/4. He along with Kohli steadied the innings and soaked in all the pressure. After being watchful for a while, he then shifted the momentum towards his side after smashing Mohammad Nawaz for 20 overs in the middle over.
Of special knocks, game-changing sixes & thrilling victory at the MCG! 👌 💪
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: Men of the moment – @imVkohli & @hardikpandya7 – chat after #TeamIndia beat Pakistan in the #T20WorldCup. 👏 👏 – By @RajalArora
Full interview 🎥 🔽 #INDvPAKhttps://t.co/3QKftWa7dk pic.twitter.com/sK7TyLFcSI
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2022
Pandya took the game deep and revived the hope of Indian fans. Although he perished in the last over, he set the platform for Virat Kohli, who batted exceptionally well for his unbeaten 82 runs and sealed the game for his side. The all-rounder ended with a score of 40 runs that included 1 four and 2 sixes.
What Pakistan lacked and India had was the fourth pace-bowling option in Hardik Pandya – Aakash Chopra praises all-rounder
Hardik’s heroics in the game against Pakistan earned him rich praise across the globe. Aakash Chopra too was impressed with the all-rounder’s contribution to the bat and ball. Posting on Twitter, he said:
“What Pakistan lacked and India had was the fourth pace-bowling option in Hardik Pandya. And while the focus was, and quite rightly so, on Kohli’s superhuman effort, Pandya’s counterattack to Nawaz forced Pakistan’s hand. Hardik is India’s MVP in the shortest format.”
What Pakistan lacked and India had was the fourth pace-bowling option in Hardik Pandya. And while the focus was, and quite rightly so, on Kohli’s superhuman effort, Pandya’s counterattack to Nawaz forced Pakistan’s hand. Hardik is India’s MVP in the shortest format.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 24, 2022
India will next face the Netherlands in their next game of the T20 World Cup 2022 on 26th October.
