Hardik Pandya, India’s vice-captain, dismissed all speculation about his form with a match-winning knock against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup warm-up competition. Hardik smashed an unbeaten 40 off just 23 balls to lead India to a score of 182/5. There has been a lot of debate about Hardik’s form in the run-up to the T20 World Cup since the ace all-rounder had a disappointing season in the IPL. His selection became a significant conversation topic when India announced its T20 World Cup roster during the league stage of the cash-rich tournament.

Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu said that Hardik has silenced his detractors ahead of India’s opening T20 World Cup encounter. There were many question marks over Hardik Pandya and they have been erased. The more you try to put Hardik Pandya down, the more he emerges and shines, just like a diamond shine after being continuously rubbed. Hardik Pandya is a great takeaway, Sidhu said.

Hardik had a difficult couple of months in the IPL after returning to the Mumbai Indians before the start of the season. He succeeded Rohit Sharma as captain of the franchise, a choice that the supporters did not warmly receive. He was booed relentlessly by fans at all IPL locations, especially MI supporters.

Since joining the Indian team in 2016, Pandya has excelled in his all-round roles in all formats, until a back injury in the 2018 Asia Cup and surgery following the 2019 World Cup prevented him from returning to his full potential. In 92 T20 Internationals, Pandya has 73 wickets and 1348 runs. Men in Blue will begin their T20 World Cup campaign today (June 5) against Ireland in New York.