Hardik Pandya played an instrumental role with both bat and ball in India’s thrilling four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at MCG on Sunday (October 23).

The all-rounder returned with the figures of 3 for 30 in his four as the Men in Blue restricted Pakistan to 159/8. He then produced a crucial knock of 37-ball 40 and was involved in a 113-run partnership with Virat Kohli (82* off 53 balls) to script India’s victory from the jaws of defeat.

After the game, Pakistan pace legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis heaped praise on Hardik, backing him lead the Indian team in the near future.

Notably, Pandya captained Gujarat Titans (GT) to the IPL title triumph earlier this year. Subsequently, he got the opportunity to lead India on the T20I tour of Ireland.  

“Hardik Pandya ko agar aap dekhe, pehli dafa usne shayad captaincy ki hai, IPL main, and the way he led the team. Unhone IPL jeeti hai (Hardik Panya has captained for the first time in the IPL and led his team to the title),” said Wasim while speaking on A Sports.

“Usse andaza hota hai ki how he handled the pressure (He knows how to handle the pressure).”

According to Akram, Pandya’s self-belief was critical in India’s victory on the last delivery against Pakistan at MCG.

“Uska role hai team main as a finisher and finisher a aap team main tabhi ho sakte hai jab aap mentally strong ho and ek self belief ho (His role in the team is a finisher and you can do the job if you are mentally strong and have a brilliant self-relief). And woh read kar rahe the ki kis tarike se le ke jaa sakte hai (He was also reading the game brilliantly to take it deep),” said Akram.

Waqar Younis, who was also part of the panel, also endorsed Wasim’s views and said: “I won’t be surprised if he is the next Indian captain.”

Akram feels Pandya has brought a calming influence to the team since winning the IPL trophy.

“Pehle woh IPL main captain bana, waha jeeta. Abhi woh team main ek main force hai, woh captain ko advice deta hai, ek calm influence hai, and he is learning (He first became IPL captain and end up winning it. Now he he is a force, he gives advice to the captain and he is learning,” said Akram.

Hardik Pandya will be next seen in action in India’s Super 12 clash against Netherlands at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday (October 27).