India allrounder Hardik Pandya has incredible skills that provide his team with the much-needed balance. Over the years, Pandya has transformed himself into a world-class allrounder who is capable of delivering the goods when the team requires him.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has hailed Hardik Pandya recently after his brilliant performance against Pakistan in Dubai. Chopra reminded his viewers of some of the best performers against Pakistan and Pandya was one of them.
Not just Pakistan, Chopra claimed that Pandya always performs in crunch situations when the team needs him to. He recalled a few instances where Hardik has played a key role in India’s memorable victories.
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Aakash Chopra reveals the best bowler vs Pakistan
While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra put out a list that involved the best bowlers against Pakistan in ICC events. Surprisingly, Hardik tops a list that involves great bowlers like Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga, Glenn McGrath, and many more.
Hardik tops this list with 14 wickets already and looks good to get more in the upcoming future as well. He seems to enjoy playing against Pakistan which also brings out the best in him.
“Who has taken the most wickets against Pakistan in ICC events? Names like Zaheer Khan, Mitchell Starc, Lasith Malinga, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne might be coming to your mind. Cancel everyone, it is Hardik Pandya. It’s a mind-numbing stat,” Chopra noted.
“He has taken 14 wickets. Mitchell Starc has 11, Ashish Nehra has 10, and Ravindra Jadeja, Irfan Pathan and Courtney Walsh have nine each. He has got something against them. Pakistan have done something wrong seeing which he gets angry,” he added.
Hardik Pandya called “Indian team’s life in white-ball cricket”
Further speaking about the allrounder, Aakash Chopra called Pandya a player of big games. He also gave a few examples where Pandya has managed to win the games for India under immense pressure.
“It’s not only about Pakistan. He has delivered in clutch situations. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, Heinrich Klaasen was hitting but who got him out – Hardik Pandya. Who dismissed David Miller in the last over – Hardik Pandya,” Chopra said.
“Whenever the team is stuck, he comes up with these clutch performances. Many players provide the glamor but he is the only one who provides balance. Hardik Pandya is the Indian team’s life in white-ball cricket. He is the most valuable player. What he brings to the table, nobody else does,” the cricketer-turned commentator added.
Hardik Pandya’s contributions against Pakistan
Pandya has made some significant contributions with both bat and ball whenever he has played against Pakistan. In the Asia Cup 2016, he picked up three wickets with the ball and helped India win on a seaming track.
In the 2017 Champions Trophy, he struck 20 off just 6 balls and also finished with 2-43 with the ball. In the final where India struggled against the same opposition, Pandya was the lone shining light as he struck 76 off 43 balls.
Recently, Pandya finished with important figures of 2-31 in 8 overs against Pakistan. He helped India pick up the first wicket when the opening wicket partnership between Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq were going along nicely. The allrounder picked up the big wickets of Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel during the match.
