Hardik Pandya Closest To Matching MS Dhoni's Finishing Role In 50-Over Cricket: Sanjay Bangar

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Hardik Pandya is recognised as a leading white-ball all-rounder in Indian cricket, demonstrating leadership at both domestic and international levels.

On Star Sports' podcast Deep Point, Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar discussed Pandya's potential impact in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and his prospects of returning as India's captain.

Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted Pandya's performance in ICC tournaments, particularly during the 2019 World Cup in England.

"Hardik Pandya has always been good at ICC tournaments. Not many people remember that during the 2019 World Cup, Hardik was India's go-to bowler on those pitches," Manjrekar remarked.

Manjrekar also stressed the importance of fitness for Pandya in 50-over cricket. He noted that physical demands are higher in ODIs compared to T20s, especially for an all-rounder who bowls several overs and bats lower down the order. "The challenge of 50-over cricket is physical fitness. You have to run a lot, especially in the middle overs," he added.

Sanjay Bangar praised Pandya's versatility in different match situations, particularly his ability to finish games or stabilise innings when needed. "In 50-over matches, Pandya has come the closest to replicating MS Dhoni's role as a finisher," Bangar stated. He noted how Pandya can take games deep into the final overs or rebuild if the team struggles early on.

Pandya has captained India in 16 T20Is but was replaced by Suryakumar Yadav in 2024. Bangar commended Pandya's maturity during this transition, saying, "It takes a person with a big heart to face everything with a smile." He admired Pandya's graciousness in handing over the captaincy and expressed hope for his future leadership opportunities.

Manjrekar suggested that changes within the Indian cricket administration could influence Pandya's return to captaincy. He emphasised that consistent domestic cricket participation would strengthen his case for leadership roles. "The dynamics of Indian cricket can change with new management in the BCCI or the selection committee," Manjrekar said.

The discussion on Deep Point highlights Hardik Pandya's significant contributions and potential future roles within Indian cricket. His adaptability and leadership qualities remain key topics among experts as they evaluate his impact on upcoming tournaments.