Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels Hardik Pandya will be India’s trump card at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, saying the all-rounder could do what Ravi Shastri did for the Men in Blue at the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India Today, said Hardik’s all-around skills could be handy for India in Australia.
The legendary player recalled how Shastri helped the team to a famous triumph in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket, which came 2 years after the Kapil Dev-led team defeated the mighty West Indies in the 1983 World Cup finale.
In five matches, Ravi scored 182 runs and took 8 wickets as India thumped Pakistan in the final.
“I think Hardik could do what Shastri did for us in 1985. Pandya is capable of doing that,” he told India Today.
“It is not only batting or bowling; Hardik can change the game with his electrifying fielding. I won’t be surprised if he comes up with a Ravi-like performance and can be the Champion of Champions,” he added.
After a stunning IPL 2022, Hardik has amassed 331 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of over 140 and has picked up 12 wickets.