T20 World Cup 2024: 3 Reasons why Hardik Pandya could be the standout performer for India

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Ahead of the start of IPL 2024 season, Hardik Pandya moved to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans in a landmark trade deal. However, a certain section of Mumbai Indians fans did not welcome the decision in the first place, especially after his recruitment as captain when he replaced Rohit Sharma.

Things turned from bad to worse when the Mumbai Indians fans booed him on the field. Hardik Pandya was on the receiving end of trolls and criticism after his string of poor performances as he failed to fire on all the cylinders. He scored 216 runs in 14 matches at an average of 18.

Despite his shoddy bowling at the start of IPL, he managed to turn things around in the second half of the IPL by taking 11 wickets in 14 matches but at an expensive economy rate of 10.75 and a bowling average of 35.18. In this article, we will just take a look at the three reasons why Hardik Pandya will be the standout performer for India in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

1. All-round potential: Hardik Pandya will be a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 because of his exceptional all-round abilities. While it is true that he had one of the worst patches of his cricketing venture in IPL 2024, the cricket fraternity saw a different version of him in the ICC T20 World Cup warm-up game against Bangladesh, held in New York recently.

He rose from the ashes and scored an unbeaten 40 of just 23 deliveries, laced with 4 sixes and 2 fours. Hardik Pandya's return to form is a significant boost for India in the marquee event.

Apart from his batting credentials, he might as well give a helping hand to the team's bowling attack, especially when he is given the new ball in the power play overs. In 92 T20Is, he scored 1348 runs including 3 fifties and took 73 wickets including 3 four-wicket hauls.

2. Decision-making: Hardik Pandya knows a thing or two about leadership traits. In his first season as captain, Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title and then led the team to the final once again in IPL 2023 season.

Hardik Pandya has led Team India in 16 T20Is. Overall, Team India have won 10 games and lost 5 games. With a win percentage of 62.50, it is quite clear that Hardik Pandya has a decent experience to his captaincy resume.

Hardik Pandya, who will be serving as the vice-captain of Team India in 2024 T20 World Cup, will be looking forward to being a great helping tool for Rohit Sharma in terms of decision making, particularly in clutch moments of the game.

3. Finisher and Fielder: Hardik Pandya who is known for his six-hitting abilities, will be looking forward to playing the finisher's role for Team India in the T20 World Cup 2024. It is no secret that he is the best finisher in the existing team.

With Hardik batting down the order at No.6, it gives the team flexibility to choose the batters upfront. The 30-year-old who is an excellent fielder is fast, agile and can be vital in saving crucial runs on the field, which might make a telling impact in the outcome.