Fit-again Hardik Pandya returns to the Indian team and a Suryakumar Yadav-led side will benefit from his presence as it prepares for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa starting December 9 at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium. As he is back, Parthiv Patel showered praise on the marquee cricketer, adding the latter will have a big role to play if India are to flourish in white-ball cricket.
According to Parthiv, Hardik has earned a reputation as a strong striker with the bat, but he also has equal aptitude with the ball in his hands. Hardik, who has been bowling in the powerplay for some time, claims to be India’s man with the golden arm.
“When you talk about Hardik Pandya’s ability to swing the ball, that is obviously underestimated by a lot of teams. We talk about the golden arm. That’s Hardik Pandya for you. He took the wicket of Klaasen and turned it around for India [in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024]. He is someone who always likes to be in the contest,” shared Parthiv while speaking on Star Sports.
Parthiv even hints to the idea that he is the only one who can step into the shoes of the Baroda all-rounder! The former wicketkeeper-batsman also highlighted how crucial the 32-year-old is for their 2026 T20 World Cup, where Suryakumar Yadav and Co will defend the title they won in the last edition.
“He wants to bowl with the new ball. He wants to bowl those difficult overs, and that is the reason why there is none like Hardik Pandya. There is no replacement for Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya’s replacement is Hardik Pandya. If he gets unfit, make him fit for the [T20] World Cup, and he is going to be a very, very important player for India.”
Parthiv Patel
India takes on South Africa in a five-match T20I series from December 9. Hardik Pandya was on the 15-man roster, and so were a smattering of other returning players. He was sidelined for a while with an achilles injury and his return to India’s title-winning Asia Cup side in the UAE earlier this year, saw him pick up a left quadriceps strain. Before the T20Is, he played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Baroda.
