Former India player turned commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu has added that Hardik Pandya has put all doubts about him to rest heading into the 2024 T20 World Cup as well. Pandya scored an unbeaten 40 off 23 deliveries in India’s only warm-up game against Bangladesh. However, Hardik’s knock helped India post 182/5 after Rohit Sharma opted to bat first in New York on Saturday, June 1. India then restricted Bangladesh to 122//9 to register a comprehensive 60-run win as well.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Sidhu said: “There were many question marks over Hardik Pandya and they have been erased. The more you try to put Hardik Pandya down, the more he emerges and shines, just like a diamond shines after being continuously rubbed. Hardik Pandya is a great takeaway.”

“If you were going to play Yashasvi in the next match, you would have definitely given him practice. You would have given him a hit in the middle. So you are making it clear that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will open, which is a good sign in a way because it gives you the option to play five bowlers, with Hardik as the sixth,” Sidhu again shared.

However, Sidhu added that Team India should play three spinners and two seamers, apart from Hardik Pandya, against Ireland as they will be uncomfortable against spin. He also added that Axar Patel can play ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal if the Indian team wants batting depth.

“You made Sanju Samson open and batted Rishabh Pant at No. 3. So you were in the catch-22 situation of who to choose between the two, and that has been cleared. He (Pant) was like greased lightning. The sort of inning Pant played, totally in control. He did whatever he wanted to and also played a no-look shot. It reminded me of Rohan Kanhai. Then he hit a one-handed six. It was his day and the attitude he showed,” Navjot Sidhu concluded.