Former Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan believes Hardik Pandya can be an extremely dangerous finisher in white-ball cricket. He also feels Pandya can be an asset for the team once he starts bowling.
Hardik Pandya is gearing up to play in the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka, where the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sent a second-string team with eight regular white-ball players are busy in England for the upcoming Test series.
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Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sivaramakrishnan revealed his thoughts on India’s dashing all-rounder.
“He’ll have an integral part to play. The moment he starts bowling after regaining full fitness, I think Hardik will be the key for India. After a long time, we’ve got a seam-bowling all-rounder who balances the side. We don’t have fast bowlers who can bat well,” he said.
“Even at the Test level, our fast bowlers are not big-time contributors with the bat but Hardik can do that. And he can get runs in lightning-quick time. He can destroy the opposition. If Hardik is fully fit, he becomes a tremendous asset to the team.”
The former leg-spinner is sure if Pandya can manage his fitness, he can be an extremely dangerous finisher in the white-ball cricket for Team India.
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“That has been the problem for India. Finishers after MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. We are still looking to find a good finisher after Dhoni. Hardik Pandya can be an extremely dangerous finisher,” Sivaramakrishnan further added.
“It is important for him to regain full fitness and then when he starts to bowl, he will gain more confidence. Hardik can contribute to all three departments of the game. Every time he contributes, he will become a better cricketer both technically and mentally.
“The key for India’s success in white-ball cricket will be the fitness of Hardik Pandya and if he can play to his potential then it will be awesome,” he concluded.
India’s tour of Sri Lanka will begin with the first One-Day International on July 18 in Colombo.
