A rejuvenated Hardik might be a significant cog for India in ICC ODI World Cup 2023

In November 2021, a power damage lowered India all-rounder Hardik Pandya primarily to a batter who may bowl a bit. Many feared whether or not he would be capable of revive his worldwide profession.

Cut to October 2023, and the all-rounder may emerge as the important thing to India’s World Cup marketing campaign. Having undergone a rigorous rehab and coaching programme, he modified his method and way of life.

Hardik 2.0 has resurfaced as a composed and dependable all-rounder.

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No marvel then that captain Rohit Sharma is closely depending on his deputy to proceed his dream run for the following two and a half months, beginning with India’s first Asia Cup Super Four outing towards arch-rival Pakistan right here on Sunday.

“You saw the quality in the last game against Pakistan. Ishan (Kishan) and Hardik put their hands up and scored well. Obviously, with bowling too, he is great. He has bowled well in the last year and a half for us. His form will be crucial to us. He is a guy who does both things, and that’s important,” Rohit mentioned after BCCI introduced India’s ICC ODI World Cup 2023 squad in Pallekele on Tuesday.

“The way he batted in the last game showed that he has a [very] mature head on his shoulders. These are good qualities of good batters. In the last year or so, he has come up with the bat, and his bowling has been good, too. That’s important for us.”

Since the 2019 World Cup, Hardik’s ODI progress needs to be judged in two halves. With extreme again damage troubling him usually, he was removed from being a real all-rounder for the following two years.

While his batting didn’t endure a lot (consult with factbox), he bowled solely 5 of the 9 ODIs he performed in that section.

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Post-2021, nevertheless, Hardik has been a revelation. While Hardik, the batter, has adopted the accumulator’s position, taking part in completely to the state of affairs most of the time, his bowling contribution has stood out.

In the 16 matches he has performed within the final 18 months, he has bowled in each innings, barring one. The truth that he’s again to his bowling finest – regardless of not clocking persistently within the 140+ kph vary – is underlined in a outstanding enchancment in his economic system price and common.

Add to that his elevation to Rohit’s deputy – and having captained India thrice within the captain’s absence, Hardik will certainly be probably the most – if not essentially the most – important cogs in India’s Mission 2023.