Very few players in world cricket have abilities like Hardik Pandya: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has heaped huge praise on Hardik Pandya for the balance he brings to the Indian team. Because of his all-round abilities, India were able to play an additional batter in the 2nd T20I against England.
Dinesh Karthik has explained the importance of Hardik Pandya to the Indian team

Dinesh Karthik has explained the importance of Hardik Pandya to the Indian team

Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Hardik Pandya has been one of India's top performers since this year's IPL.
  • Because of Hardik's all-round abilities, India fielded an extra batter against Australia in 2nd T20I.
  • Dinesh Karthik has heaped huge praise on Hardik for his all-round abilities.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has gone from strength to strength since making his comeback to the Indian team after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Not just a batter, Hardik offers the option of pace bowling to the Indian team too.
It is Hardik's ability to bowl consistently that saw the Indian team go into the rain-curtailed 2nd T20i against England with just 4 primary bowlers.
With the rain reducing the match to 8 overs per side, the team management decided to drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar in favour of Rishabh Pant. At the post-match press conference, Dinesh Karthik explained the logic behind the decision and the big role Hardik Pandya plays in it.
"We only needed four bowlers today. Unlike before, you can bowl two overs each, so only four bowlers were required to finish eight overs. We had five options. When you have five options, that's the luxury of having an all-rounder like Hardik.
"When Hardik plays, then it gets balanced very well. We can play an extra batter or a bowler. That's the luxury you have and that's what makes him so special. There are very few players in world cricket with such abilities and that's where India are blessed. If he does well, it's always great for Indian cricket," said Karthik.
Hardik isn't the only all-rounder in the Indian team at present. Even Axar Patel has the ability to do serious damage with the bat. Though the opportunities have been limited for Axar, Karthik is happy with the performances the spin-bowling allrounder has managed to produce.
"Axar Patel also coming good with the bat at different points will help India because that helps in the balance of eleven. When you make an eleven, you think an extra batter can play and we all know Rishabh Pant's quality as a batter and he would've been useful in this game."
Speaking of the decision to include Pant in the playing XI, Karthik said it was the right call even though the young stumper didn't get to bat.
"He couldn't bat right up to then, but we all know what quality he brings to the table. So, when you have four bowlers, having a fifth bowler is a luxury and that is Pandya is this game because you don't need to play five bowlers. I think the Indian team definitely made the right choice to play Rishabh."
Karthik himself did really well with the bat in the 2nd T20I. In just 2 deliveries he faced, the veteran batter scored 10 runs to finish off the chase.
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