There is no other player like Hardik Pandya in Indian T20 team: Bangar
NEW DELHI: Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes there is no other player like Hardik Pandya in the national T20 set-up, asserting that the star all-rounder is capable of earning a place in the team purely as a specialist batter or as a specialist bowler.
Out for more than two months due to a quadricep injury suffered during the Asia Cup, Pandya will return to the Indian squad for the home five-match ODI series against South Africa beginning in Cuttack on Tuesday.
“Look at all the all-rounders in world cricket now. Does England have a back-up for Ben Stokes? No. In one-day or even Test cricket, there is no back-up for Ravindra Jadeja. It is the same with Hardik Pandya,” JioStar expert Bangar said.
“He (Pandya) can command a spot in the top five on his batting alone. He could also be one of the top three seamers in any team if he was just a bowler. The point is, to be that kind of all-rounder, you must earn your place with your batting and also with your bowling. There is no other player like Hardik Pandya in the Indian team.”
On Pandya’s workload management, Bangar said he should at least play the first three matches against South Africa. “We need to see how he copes,” he said, insisting that it is too early to say if he should play six or seven T20Is before the World Cup.
“Playing in the SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) is different from the intensity of an international game. The team management must manage the workload of important players like him. So, if needed, we must do that for Hardik too. A fit Hardik Pandya allows the team to play its desired combination, especially with the spin options we have. That is why his presence is critically very vital.”
Before his India return, Pandya made an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls for Baroda in SMAT before bowling four overs at full tilt for 1/52.
Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is also making a return after missing almost a month of cricket owing to a neck spasm suffered while attempting a slog sweep during the opening Test against the Proteas.
Bangar said Gill’s growth as Test captain will benefit him in all formats. “The confidence Shubman Gill has now after doing so well in Test cricket over the last year will certainly help him. More than his skill, his mindset has grown. Taking extra responsibility as a Test captain makes him a far more rounded player. He now understands the game situation and what is needed from him.
“At the top of the order, Shubman Gill could do the job for the team in T20I cricket. And if needed, Hardik Pandya could do a similar job in the middle order.”
Bangar felt Sanju Samson may find it difficult to get a slot in the Indian T20 side. “... his best spot in T20 cricket is still at the top. With players like Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, or Hardik Pandya available, there may not be a place for him at number four, five, or six.
“Jitesh Sharma has shown he is quite a capable player. He can bat lower down the order and look to hit the big shots even with a slightly older ball.”
On the Samson versus Jitesh selection debate, Bangar said, “I think Jitesh will now get the number seven spot.”