England's legendary Test pacer Stuart Broad has cautioned Harry Brook's team of India's seasoned all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal bout. Pandya has plenty of experience at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, thanks to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians (MI). Broad said that if he was in the current team, he would want Pandya to arrive at the crease around 12-over mark and get him out before the slog overs. The former pacer is in awe of Pandya's long-range hitting abilities considering how 'wiry and slim' he is.
“If I am an England bowler, I think I need to get him in after 12 overs so I can bowl when he’s not in the hitting zone straightaway. He might think I would like to look at a few before going at the end. I would see that as my chance to get him out before he can hurt me in the last four overs. If India are just three or four down entering the death overs, that’s where India get over 200, and you are in a bit of trouble,” Broad said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.
“If India sets up a good first ten overs, Hardik Pandya becomes a huge danger. When he walks in, he’s extremely confident. He has got an aura about him and an ego on him in a positive way. He just believes He can do the job. He is so wiry and slim that you think how he can hit the ball 100 metres like he does. But he does it so effortlessly,” he added.
Pandya’s impressive numbers vs England
Broad’s comments are backed up by statistics as well. The MI captain has a stellar T20I record against England. From 20 appearances, he has 414 runs including three fifties, striking at 148.38. He nearly averages 30 in the format against the English. He is potent with the ball as well, picking up 19 wicket at an average of 24.78. On his day, he is deadly with the ball too. The pacer has two four-fers against the English.
On March 3, Pandya trained the hardest and the longest. He had conversations with the coach and worked on his bat swing.