With less than two months to go for the T20 World Cup, India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be a great asset for the team heading into the showpiece event.
According to Karthik, Virat Kohli and company are favourites to win the 2021 edition of T20 World Cup because of the rich experience the young players have after facing pressure situations in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"I think it is 14 years that have gone by -- it's very interesting to know that it has been that long -- I think that also means 14 seasons of IPL, so basically, we have a lot of T20 experience in that team," Karthik said on Star Sports show Game Plan, referring to India’s last and only T20 World Cup triumph in 2007.
"Every guy there has played 150, if not 200 matches of T20, which should give them enough data to take from every time they had a big moment, and that's what you require, experience to handle those big moments and hence I have no doubt that they will qualify for the semi-finals.
"The question is, on that big day -- like it happened a few years ago in Mumbai -- somebody turns up and does well, what are you going to do someone special. And from India, through the tournament, if they have to find ways of pushing themselves, there are a lot of key players, but I would like to single out this man, who is in the middle of it all -- Hardik Pandya," he added.
During the recently held white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, Hardik – India’s designated finisher – also bowled and Karthik highlighted how the all-rounder is a key player who can contribute with both bat and ball.
"He bats at No.6, he has a job to do every time he comes in, he has the potential to take the game away in the whiff of a breath -- that's how good he is. So, again with the ball, he is very good with it, he is very handy, he can bowl at 85-87 mph, but also mix in the slower ones," said Karthik.
"Over the period of time, he has shown the mind -- what's between your ears they say -- to be very strong, very calculated and he is somebody who can come and deliver on slow wickets very well, and that's one of his strengths, so I am looking forward to him as a gun fielder as well -- we've got a few good fielders there.
"So, yeah, I think India has it in them overall. Fingers crossed, they go all the way," he added.
Team India will begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. The global tournament will be held in UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.
(With ANI inputs)
