Abhishek Nayar, former India assistant coach, praised Hardik Pandya for consistently stepping up when the Men in Blue were under duress. The Baroda all-rounder was named to India’s 15-man roster for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE, which runs from September 9 to 28.
Nayar, who has witnessed Pandya hone his skills from close quarters during his time with the Indian team, praised the 31-year-old’s all-round qualities and hailed him as a game changer.
The former India all-rounder also stated that Hardik Pandya’s presence at the crease gives fans optimism that something amazing is on the horizon.
“An absolutely invaluable player for Indian cricket—and when you look at world cricket, how many players do you really have who can bowl with the new ball, bowl at the death, deliver four overs consistently, and also play impact knocks against both spin and pace? He’s an absolute game changer,” Nayar said on Star Sports.
“I think more than anything, his biggest strength is his personality. Just sitting there in the dressing room or the dugout, and knowing that when he’s out in the middle, there’s always an assurance that something remarkable can happen,” he added.
He has consistently shown his ability to deliver in tough situations: Abhishek Nayar
Nayar said that Pandya deserves a lot of credit for India going the distance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. A member of the KKR’ support staff, Nayar stated that Pandya’s bring leadership to the Indian team, even when he is not the captain.
“We are the current world champions also because of those overs he bowled under pressure. Not only with the bat, but with the ball as well, he has consistently shown his ability to deliver in tough situations,” Nayar pointed out.
He definitely brings leadership to the group. He will always be a leader, whether he’s the captain or not. And like I said, more than just a cricketer, it’s his personality and the aura he brings to the team that matters a lot to these young players,” he said.
India
