South African cricket icon AB de Villiers has identified Hardik Pandya as a big pivotal player for India as they gear up for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Sharing his expert analysis on his YouTube channel, de Villiers stressed that the presence of high-impact match-winners is the most critical factor for success in major international tournaments, placing Pandya at the center of India's title ambitions.
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AB de Villiers termed Hardik Pandya as India's X-factor in the T20 World Cup
In his breakdown of the squad, de Villiers highlighted the impressive versatility and balance that the selectors have achieved. He noted that the current roster provides the team management with various tactical options, allowing them to adapt their lineup based on specific match conditions and opponents throughout the competition.
"There are a lot of players offering skill with both bat and ball so you can really play around with the balance of the squad," de Villiers said on his Youtube channel.
In his detailed breakdown, de Villiers spotlighted the inclusion of dynamic players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, the latter of whom has been selected as a wicketkeeper for the tournament. He highlighted that these additions provide India with explosive potential at the top of the order and flexibility throughout the lineup.
Conversely, the legendary batter identified several high-profile stars who were unfortunately left out of the squad. He noted that established names such as Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jitesh Sharma are the unlucky guys who missed the cut. According to de Villiers, these omissions reflect the intense competition for places and the selectors' commitment to a very specific team balance for the 2026 campaign.
"Abhishek Sharma upfront, Sanju Samson wicketkeeper. I noted no Rishabh Pant here, no Shubman Gill, no Yashasvi Jaiswal, no Jitesh Sharma, so those are the unlucky guys who missed out," he added.
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'Hardik Pandya is the guy who can win you games with bat and bowl'
Despite the absence of several prominent stars, de Villiers maintained that Pandya remains the indispensable heartbeat of the Indian lineup. He emphasised that Pandya’s dual capability as a high-velocity bowler and a finishing batter provides a rare level of flexibility that few other players in the world can replicate, making him the primary engine of the team's tactical setup.
"Hardik will be the big pivotal player. He's the guy who can win you games with bat and bowl. He can bowl in any situation, he can bat anywhere in the line up," de Villiers concluded.
Pandya is currently riding on a purple patch as far his form is concerned. He recently dominated the headlines in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he smashed a remarkable maiden List A century for Baroda against Vidarbha. His 133-run blitz, coming off just 92 balls, featured eight boundaries and 11 sixes. The highlight of the innings was a staggering 34-run over against spinner Parth Rekhade, where Pandya cleared the ropes five times in a row before finishing with a boundary.
In addition to his domestic success, Pandya’s international form has been equally devastating. During the recent T20I series against South Africa in December 2025, he emerged as a central figure for India, amassing 142 runs across three innings. With an average of 71.00 and a lethal strike rate of 186.84—including two half-centuries—he has proven his ability to anchor an innings and finish with explosive power. These back-to-back performances underline his readiness to serve as the vital engine in India's quest to defend their T20 World Cup title.