Asia Cup 2023: R Ashwin hails Hardik Pandya, opines how all-rounder improved his game against spinners

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Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed Hardik Pandya for his ability to play against spinners. The comments from the veteran off-spinner came after Hardik Pandya's sensational 87-run knock against Pakistan in the league stage of the Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday.

India were reduced to 66/4 when Hardik Pandya forged a 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Ishan Kishan. The star all-rounder was looking all set for his first ODI hundred by falling 13 runs short of it after falling to a slower delivery from Shaheen Afridi.

Ashwin while analysing the batting of Hardik, reckoned that the 29-year-old was a clean striker against spin. He opined that Hardik Pandya, who used to play the role of a finisher at Mumbai Indians (MI), matured as a batter after becoming the captain at Gujarat Titans (GT) and batting up the order.

"I noticed this about Hardik. While he was playing for Mumbai Indians, he was donning only the finisher role. He will come to bat during the 15th, 16th, or 17th over. But the moment he became the captain and went to Gujarat Titans, he started batting at No.3. Hardik is a very clean striker against spin," Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

"Not saying that he struggles against fast bowling or anything. He has the slog sweep. He has the conventional sweep as well. In fact, I remember Hardik Pandya scored his first Test hundred at the same ground in Pallekele against Sri Lanka. He played those sweep shots in that game too. Some of them will tell you he can be dismissed if you bowl leg-spin to him. But his batting against spin has been exemplary," Ashwin added.

Hardik Pandya has risen in stature in the Indian cricket team as well in the last two years. He has been given the captaincy of the T20I squad and pipped the likes of KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah to become the vice-captain of the ODI team. He is Rohit Sharma's deputy in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 and the upcoming World Cup 2023.