India's cricket team captain, Rohit Sharma, emphasized on September 5 (Tuesday) the significance of Hardik Pandya's form in India's quest to secure a much-coveted ICC trophy. Pandya, who has recently been appointed the vice-captain for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup, is no stranger to leadership roles within the team.
Hardik Pandya has previously captained the Indian cricket team during the second and third ODIs against the West Indies, filling in for a rested Rohit Sharma. He also leads the team in T20 cricket, showcasing his versatile skill set and leadership qualities.
"His form will be crucial to us. He’s a guy who does both the things (batting and bowling), and that’s important," said Rohit after chief selector Ajit Agarkar named a 15-member squad for the mega event in India.
"In the last year or so he has come up with the bat and his bowling has been good too. That’s important for us," he added.
Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with Pandya's recent performance against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The premier all-rounder scored an impressive fifty, contributing to a century stand with Kishan that pulled India out of a tricky situation at 66/4. The duo helped the team reach a total of 266 runs in a game interrupted by rain.
"You saw the quality in the last game against Pakistan. Ishan and Hardik put their hands up and scored well. Obviously, with bowling too he’s great. He has bowled well in the last year and a half for us," Rohit said.
"The way he batted in the last game showed that he has a very mature head on his shoulders. These are good signs for us,” said Rohit," he added.
As India prepares for the upcoming World Cup, Hardik Pandya's form and leadership experience are expected to be instrumental in the team's performance. Keep an eye on this space for more updates on Team India's journey towards the ICC trophy.
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(With PTI inputs, powered by AI)
