Former England cricketer Tim Bresnan believes that star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya needs to develop a little more to become a great player. Bresnan feels that having a fast bowling all-rounder improves the team's overall balance.

Pandya’s performance with both bat and ball in 2022 has been quite extraordinary. After putting on a brilliant show in the IPL 2022, he has had memorable outings against teams like South Africa, England, and the West Indies.

His all-round brilliance also helped Team India pull off a five-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2022 opener. 

“Definitely, a pace bowling all-rounder is quite crucial, it balances your team, it gives you two cricketers in one,” Bresnan told PTI.

The former cricketer remarked that the job of a fast bowling all-rounder is quite demanding, adding that they are priceless.

“It’s a tough position to play because you are always involved in the game, so it’s quite demanding physically. Fast bowling all-rounders are worth the weight in gold.

“Hardik is really good on the field as well, he’s a very good athlete. He’s got to mature a bit more, then he is going to be a top, top player,” he added.

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Bresnan stated that while India cannot be discounted for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2022, he believes that Australia, England, and New Zealand are the three favorites.

“You can’t discount India ever. But I think England, Australia, and New Zealand probably are the three favorites. But India and Pakistan have the same chance and Sri Lanka have done really well in the Asia Cup, so you never know, whoever brings on the day.”

Bresnan predicts that Jasprit Bumrah, who will return to the Indian team after missing several weeks of action, would immediately find his footing.

“He’s got genuine pace, he’s got too much quality to be rusty. He is too professional, I think he would be fine for the World Cup,” he said.

(PTI INPUTS)