As the all-rounder Hardik Pandya returns, former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has suggested a batting position for the new IPL 2022-winning captain in the Indian T20 XI for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.
Well, Pandya hasn’t only impressed one and all with his captaincy, but the all-rounder was also impressed with the bat in the recently concluded IPL 2022, where he guided the new franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) to their maiden IPL title in their debut season on 29.
In the IPL 2022, Pandya batted at number four and scored 487 runs at a strike rate of 131.27 in 15 matches. He also scalped eight wickets at an economy of less than eight in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Pandya was named in the Team India squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, starting on June 9.
And the Indian team management got some exclusive advice from Vettori. He said that the No.4 slot would be the "perfect" position for Pandya.
Vettori said during an interaction on ESPNCricinfo: “If you can fit him in at No. 4, I think, go for it. That’s the perfect position for him. You don’t want to take anything away from the likes of Suryakumar Yadav. But, if this option is there, it will be great. As of now, though, it feels like he’s going to slot into No.5, with Pant potentially dropping down to six.”
