Taking note of Hardik Pandya's stellar showing during the tour of Australia, former India batsman VVS Laxman opined the flamboyant right-hander has now grown into a robust, more reliable late-order player for the country.
After playing two outstanding knocks in the ODIs, Hardik continued his rich vein of form in the T20Is, scoring a magnificent 22-ball 42 not out to take India home in the high-pressure chase at SCG on Sunday (December 6) and helping the visitors go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
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"More than anyone else, Hardik Pandya trained the spotlight on himself with power-packed performances, especially in the second game in Sydney on Sunday," Laxman wrote in his column for the Times of India.
"Pandya played a lead role in Mumbai Indians' title-winning run and has evolved into a reliable late-order batsman, effortlessly slipping into the role of a thunderous finisher."
"He seems to have emphatically settled the debate of who next, now that MS Dhoni has retired from the international level. For all their top-order riches, India's talent pool doesn't have too many that can provide impetus at the death. Against that backdrop, Pandya's composure and consistency must come as great relief to the thinktank," he added.
Laxman also noted down all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and left-arm pacer T Natarajan as positives for Team India.
"Ravindra Jadeja again showcased his exponential growth as a thinking batsman in the first T20I in Canberra, giving the captain a bankable additional option, while T Natarajan continued his dream initiation in the blue jersey with two sparkling performances."
"Impressively, he (Natarajan) didn't rely on yorkers alone to do the trick. I enjoyed his leg before dismissal of Glenn Maxwell on Friday, and the confidence with which he has brought his other variations into play. He has looked at home in the cauldron of international cricket, no mean accomplishment for a late bloomer."
For Laxman, T20I series win down under is a commendable effort from Virat Kohli's team as they haven't had the services of Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, their first-choice picks. While Rohit couldn't make the white-ball leg of the tour due to a hamstring injury, Bumrah has been rested in the lead-up to the all-important Test series.
"Both wins were achieved without two of India's most influential white-ball performers, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. India have been a different force since the last World T20 in 2016, and it's clear to see why."
"While they stand on the brink of another clean sweep in Australia, India will be concerned with their catching and ground fielding, however. Some of the best fielders in the side are shelling easy chances, and there have been fumbles and overthrows galore."
"They must be hurting because they work very hard and take great pride in their fielding, so expect them to bounce back strongly in this discipline too," Laxman signed off.
