Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has heaped praise on India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, saying that the team banks a lot on him in T20Is and he provides a great balance to the side.
Ever since Pandya made his comeback to the Indian side after a prolonged injury, he has looked class apart with both bat and ball. He has provided his team with crucial finishes as a batter and also has chipped in with the ball at important stages of the match.
His impressive comeback was lauded by many and he even got the opportunity to lead the side during the Ireland series, where India completed a 2-0 whitewash under him.
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Pandya is making his presence felt in almost every match he’s playing. In the recently concluded third T20I against West Indies, he became the first Indian to take 50 wickets and score 500 runs in the shortest format of the game.
Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt said that India banks a lot on Pandya and they have trust in their abilities. He lauded the all-rounder for his comeback after the injury.
“Hardik Pandya is somebody on whom India banks a lot. They trust in his abilities. He has come back fitter from injury. Everyone has seen his skills and he has performed really well for India over the years.
“He had some fitness issues and a form slump. But since recovering from those problems, he has been scoring runs and taking wickets as well. Physically also, he is looking stronger," Salman Butt said.
Butt talked about the importance of Pandya in the side, saying that he provides balance to the team with his all-round abilities.
“India were waiting for him to come back as his inclusion improves the balance of the team. He provides a wicket-taking option in the middle and is a match-winning batter,” he said.
With the kind of balance that Hardik Pandya provides to the team, it’s fair to say that he will be a massive factor for India in the both Asia Cup as well as the T20 World Cup 2022.
