Hardik Pandya’s revival has been one of the most inspiring cricketing stories of 2022 so far. After a dismal 2021 that saw him struggle with injuries and form, the star Indian all-rounder has made a strong comeback and become one of the main players in India’s white-ball team once again.
Pandya took an almost six-month gap from the sport after India’s group stage exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Hardik led Gujarat Titans to the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) title in their debut season in the league. On his comeback to the national side, Hardik has been in exceptional form with the bat. In fact, he also led the Men in Blue for the first time in the two match series against Ireland.
The cricket fraternity has lavished praise on Hardik for his incredible comeback and legendary Australian fast-bowler Glenn Mcgrath has become the latest to do so. Mcgrath hailed Hardik as ‘two players in one’ and called him a ‘luxury’ for the team.
“Cricket is very much a confidence sport. Hardik is very much a confidence player. If he is bowling well, it has a positive impact on his batting. He is two players in one. He is a luxury. He is a good, intelligent bowler and powerful hitter. He has got a good game plan,” Mcgrath told reporters during an interaction.
Hardik is currently part of the Indian side in the West Indies for the five-match t20I series. India won the first game by a margin of 68 runs while losing the second game by five-wickets in a close thriller. The third match of the series will take place on Tuesday (August) at Werner Park in St. Kitts. The two sides will travel to the United States of America (USA) for the fourth and fifth game which will take place in Florida.
