[VIDEOS/PICTURES] Is Hardik Pandya overrated?

[in_cutter]

I hope OP is enjoying the humble pie being dished out.

 

[light]

You're wrong. Although Gillespie scored 201* against Bangladesh, Sachin has managed 248* against the same team at the same ground. Therefore, Sachin is better.

I thought you were joking about 201 of Gillespie and then went to youtube and watched it. Unbelivable ... LOL

 

[pillionrider]

This guy has been sitting with his family the whole COVID year, but apparently said he wants to spend more time with them when the team asked him to stay back for the tests in Aus.

Now in the final test, we've been forced to pick the likes of Sundar to cover up the batting.

How did this guy get so big? Sure, his shots are fantastic, whenever he actually gets going

Meanwhile, last seen at Kohli's table on New Year's.

 

[Dingolfy]

This guy has been sitting with his family the whole COVID year, but apparently said he wants to spend more time with them when the team asked him to stay back for the tests in Aus.

Now in the final test, we've been forced to pick the likes of Sundar to cover up the batting.

How did this guy get so big? Sure, his shots are fantastic, whenever he actually gets going

Meanwhile, last seen at Kohli's table on New Year's.

Without his bowling, Pandya is just an average batsman and would be no of use for this Test team.
And there is nothing wrong in spending more time with family especially he just had a kid.

 

[pillionrider]

Without his bowling, Pandya is just an average batsman and would be no of use for this Test team.
And there is nothing wrong in spending more time with family especially he just had a kid.

So the great man hasn't been bowling apparently. What happened? His spine having some issues

Yes, there's a lot wrong with wanting to spend time with your family when you've been doing that all year.

 

[Dingolfy]

So the great man hasn't been bowling apparently. What happened? His spine having some issues

Yes, there's a lot wrong with wanting to spend time with your family when you've been doing that all year.

I think he still not full recovered from injuries.
And he is just a cricketer, not a soldier fighting at the border( even they take breaks). He can take as many breaks as he wants.

 

[pillionrider]

I think he still not full recovered from injuries.
And he is just a cricketer, not a soldier fighting at the border( even they take breaks). He can take as many breaks as he wants.

Sure he can.

But then the selectors should also give him as many breaks as they want

I remember Jadeja had gotten too big for himself despite his mediocre contributions under Dhoni. After Kohli took over, he gave him some nice treatment following which Jaddu learnt to start putting in his best and has now become a useful part of the team.

 

[Dingolfy]

Sure he can.

But then the selectors should also give him as many breaks as they want

I remember Jadeja had gotten too big for himself despite his mediocre contributions under Dhoni. After Kohli took over, he gave him some nice treatment following which Jaddu learnt to start putting in his best and has now become a useful part of the team.

We need him in LOIs for hitting power down the order so he can walk into the team even as a batsman. But not in Tests. And as long as he gives his 100% whenever he plays, I see no reason for selectors to ignore him. Plus we don’t have that many fast-bowling allrounders in India.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pandya continues proving that he is a brilliant LOI all-rounder. In ODIs, he averages 34 at S/R of 115 which is Maxwell level numbers and he is a much better bowler than latter.

In T20s, he proved his worth with bowl in this series and with bat in decider as his S/R now is a phenomenal 147.

In Tests, he is very good too but he probably doesn't have the fitness to bowl 10 overs a day and his dependance is also not much there due to presence of Jadeja and Washington.

All in all, a brilliant LOI all-rounder and certainly a X-Factor player.

 

[OMB]

'Will start bowling soon': Hardik Pandya gives fitness update amid T20 World Cup concerns

Hardik Pandya assured fans that he will return to bowling very soon as concerns over his fitness grow ahead of the T20 World Cup which is set to start days after the IPL ends.

With Mumbai Indians (MI) having just two games left in the league stage of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Hardik Pandya is yet to take bowl a single over in the current edition of the league. As Pandya's all-round skills are a key component of the Indian side, his inability to bowl has raised alarm bells among cricket fans in the country ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

As the uncertainty over his fitness grows, the 27-year-old issued a positive update saying that he will start bowling soon and that he is working hard towards it. Talking to broadcasters Star Sports before MI's clash with Delhi Capitals (DC) in Sharjah, he said "Aayega jaldi. Koshish poori hai (I will bowl soon. best efforts are on)."

Pandya also spoke about his return to form with the bat with a knock of 40 against Punjab Kings saying it was important for him to get runs for his personal confidence."Runs are important and especially when your team wins. It was important for my personal confidence but to score for the team was important. We have to assess the wicket and adapt on the given time. The plans have to be simple and win over obstacles ball-by-ball. There's no option, but one thing is that these situations bring out the best in you," said Pandya.

Earlier, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene claimed that pushing Pandya to bowl could impact his batting performance. In his pre-match press conference before MI faced Jayawardene DC, the former Sri Lankan captain said "Because he hasn't bowled since Sri Lanka, I think what we are trying to do is what's best for Hardik going forward. We are talking to Indian management, and make sure sooner he feels comfortable, we get him into his bowling program and prepare him."

He added "We have to look on a daily basis and evaluate and see how he progresses.But at the moment if he pushes too hard, it might be an issue where he might struggle and might be an issue where he might not be an asset even as a batsman. It's something we have to take in as a count."

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/putting-my-best-efforts-in-will-start-bowling-soon-hardik-pandya-gives-fitness-update-amid-t20-world-cup-concerns/819629

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Everyone is desperately waiting to see Pandya bowl again.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Everyone is desperately waiting to see Pandya bowl again.

He'll get injured if he bowls, he knows that, Mahela knows that, MI knows that, and BCCI knows that.

These statements won't do anything; he'll get injured bowling a 2 over spell even. His back-injury coupled with the fact that he was "over-rested" meant that he neither possesses the fitness to bowl nor the ability to do so anymore.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

He'll get injured if he bowls, he knows that, Mahela knows that, MI knows that, and BCCI knows that.

These statements won't do anything; he'll get injured bowling a 2 over spell even. His back-injury coupled with the fact that he was "over-rested" meant that he neither possesses the fitness to bowl nor the ability to do so anymore.

Then it will be very difficult for him to keep his place secure in the LOI teams as well. Guys like Thakur are waiting to take that spot from him.

 

[UzmanBeast]

Then it will be very difficult for him to keep his place secure in the LOI teams as well. Guys like Thakur are waiting to take that spot from him.

Thakur's batting credentials aren't up to par, and he's very uneconomical.

Hardik is going to continue because of a lack of options available.

 

[OMB]

Thakur's batting credentials aren't up to par, and he's very uneconomical.

Hardik is going to continue because of a lack of options available.

Hardik will have a chance at this T20 WC and if he doesn't perform he will be back to domestics.
Even MI TM will come to same conclusion especially as they see themselves out of playoffs.

 

[Rajdeep]

Pandya during his peak years (fitness wise) was bowling at a speed of 140+ kph. Infact he was bowling at same pace as Bumrah back in the day. But his back couldnt handle the stress of tear away pace bowling. And now not only he is unable to bowl but also finding it tough to field or bat properly due to back issue.

This is one of the reason why many players dont aspire for speed anymore as it can seriously shorten your career. Also, in modern day cricket its very difficult to become a genuine all rounder which Pandya was aspiring to be - someone who can bowl long spells with pace and a very good lower order striker.

Well his aspirations were not wrong but his body couldnt cope. Cricket has changed and genuine fast bowling all rounders are rare. Pandya should completely stop bowling and focus on his six hitting abilities with bat. Ofcourse he cant then play in ODI/Tests anymore but still can find a place in T20s.

And folks who are enjoying his downfall with 'I told you so' comments must remember he was one of the very best talents India has produced in recent history. On his day he was a geuine match winner with both bat and ball. A rare talented fast bowling all rounder which India has never produced since Kapil Dev and hence he was backed to the tilt.

 

[shamaan]

Pandya during his peak years (fitness wise) was bowling at a speed of 140+ kph. Infact he was bowling at same pace as Bumrah back in the day. But his back couldnt handle the stress of tear away pace bowling. And now not only he is unable to bowl but also finding it tough to field or bat properly due to back issue.

This is one of the reason why many players dont aspire for speed anymore as it can seriously shorten your career. Also, in modern day cricket its very difficult to become a genuine all rounder which Pandya was aspiring to be - someone who can bowl long spells with pace and a very good lower order striker.

Well his aspirations were not wrong but his body couldnt cope. Cricket has changed and genuine fast bowling all rounders are rare. Pandya should completely stop bowling and focus on his six hitting abilities with bat. Ofcourse he cant then play in ODI/Tests anymore but still can find a place in T20s.

And folks who are enjoying his downfall with 'I told you so' comments must remember he was one of the very best talents India has produced in recent history. On his day he was a geuine match winner with both bat and ball. A rare talented fast bowling all rounder which India has never produced since Kapil Dev and hence he was backed to the tilt.

I would stil take pandya in t20s only hes a match a winner

 

[Ab Fan]

Pandya was a genuine match winner with both bat and bowl in 2019 World Cup. He single handedly finished the fifth bowler job alone by bowling 10 overs throughout the World Cup with no backup or luxury of 6th bowler in the side.

Moreover, he was alone taking care of the power hitting job in the final overs after the starts that Rohit and Kohli gave to India. The likes of Jadhav and Dhoni were well past.

It is just unfortunate that he suffered a career threatening back injury and post that his doctor has advised to give up bowling to control his workload and not stress it much. Even a legend like Shane Bond couldn't have a career of more than 20 tests due to career threatening injury. This is just an unfortunate thing and could have happened to any fast bowler or all-rounder.

I must mention that I am not a fan of his attitude on and off-field but always rated him highly as an all-round cricketer. Injuries can demean his success or restrict his achievements but that does not make him a mediocre cricketer by any stretch.

 

[Ab Fan]

In ODIs, 6th bowler option is pivotal because he would have to bowl about 4-5 overs atleast and on a few occasions even more. Hence, it is hard for Pandya to get in the ODI side if he simply decides not to bowl at all. The challenge would then be to figure out a batsman( a power hitter) who could bowl a few good overs too.

Basically, Pandya's absence creates a massive dealt on India's plan for any of the upcoming World Tournaments and we must not forget that his absence had already impacted India's chance in World Test Championship Finals.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I think team management should not rely on Pandya's fitness and look for other options like Shardul Thakur. Thakur looks like a team player who is always looking to improve. He has the correct mindset and attitude. These qualities are missing in Pandya.

 

[UzmanBeast]

I think team management should not rely on Pandya's fitness and look for other options like Shardul Thakur. Thakur looks like a team player who is always looking to improve. He has the correct mindset and attitude. These qualities are missing in Pandya.

I think Pandya has an issue with his willingness to bowl.

Yes, he's a batsman as well but a slogger.

He comes in to usually bat for 25-40 balls, not batting nearly 100 balls.

He also doesn't play test cricket, so his workload isn't that high.

Even when he was fully fit, he was treated with caution.

My opinion is that if he wants to regain full fitness, he needs to find a window of time where he is focusing on his bowling.

Even after his injury, his bowling is nowhere near the point it once was, he relies mostly on cutters and slower-balls now.

 

[silentkiller187]

Pandya started off well enough but his career recently seems to have taken a downward spiral. seems to have got caught up in the celeb lifestyle hype, seems him and his brother spend most of their time sucking up to the west indians in the IPL rather than focusing on improving their skillsets.

Shardul Thakur seems a much better option in my opinion, a few more coming through in IPL who seem like they have a better work ethic aswel.

 

[FearlessRoar]

As the BCCI urges its players to play Ranji Trophy for their state teams, no such directive has been issued to Hardik Pandya yet.When as BCCI official was asked about the reason behind Hardik getting this exception, He told to local media:

"We can understand Hardik Pandya's case as his body can't take the rigors of red-ball cricket. He can't withstand the workload of Test cricket and Team India needs him fit for ICC events."

"Some of the other youngsters, whenever you call them, they will cite that they are currently doing physio work. There needs to be a stop somewhere."

"The decision-makers in BCCI are well aware that some players don't want to play any red-ball cricket."

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He deserves all the praise being one of the best fast bowling all rounders of the current generation.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I think his injuries are going to cost him his career.

 

[FearlessRoar]

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya on February 26 made his return to competitive cricket after a long injury layoff with a two-wicket haul in the DY Patil T20 Cup in Navi Mumbai.

Pandya grabbed 2/22 in three overs in Reliance One's win by two wickets in a low-scoring game over Bharat Petroleum Cooperation Limited at the DY Patil Cricket Academy.

Pandya had been out of action since suffering an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune in October, and is preparing up for a comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the new skipper of the five-time winners Mumbai Indians.

The Hindu

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He is a bit arrogant but yeah currently he is one of the best fast bowling all rounder in white ball cricket

 

[kron]

Yes he is. Indian fans don't even like him. But in saying that I think they missed him in the final of 23 wc. His dual skillset was needed.

 

[cricketcricket79]

Yes he is. Indian fans don't even like him. But in saying that I think they missed him in the final of 23 wc. His dual skillset was needed.

Who knows for sure if Pandya would have made a difference or not but from my point of view, he hasn’t helped India won the world cups he has played in the past either. So for me, it is just hypothetical now. I hope he just sticks to IPL and leave the Indian team alone.

 

[Ab Fan]

He blew away the chance of winning his team or contributing in winning his team a World Cup.

He is a better T20I player than ODI so let's see if he can still make any impact in T20 World Cup but as of now, his career is not going anywhere.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pandya is arrogant and his arrogance is a curse for the team. Need to be a bit humble and focus on winning some cups for his national team.

 

[cricketcricket79]

Pandya is arrogant and his arrogance is a curse for the team. Need to be a bit humble and focus on winning some cups for his national team.

He can be as arrogant as he wants as long he win something for the national team. He has won zero world cups but has become ultimate prime donna and has arrogance like nobody else. His third class interview on TV which everyone has conveniently forgotten now tells what kind of person he is really.

 

[BouncerGuy]

He can be as arrogant as he wants as long he win something for the national team. He has won zero world cups but has become ultimate prime donna and has arrogance like nobody else. His third class interview on TV which everyone has conveniently forgotten now tells what kind of person he is really.

Yeah. He should be focusing on winning something big first rather than just being arrogant during his interviews.

 

[Croma]

Yes he is. Indian fans don't even like him. But in saying that I think they missed him in the final of 23 wc. His dual skillset was needed.

He could have maybe in theory played instead of Surya Kumar Yadav who contributed nothing.

But in his absence, India discovered a lethal Shami which was a HUGE plus

 

[sweep_shot]

He is a T20 specialist. Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

[FearlessRoar]

While speaking to a local sports channel, Hardik Pandya revealed his journey of recovery:

"I had prepared for the World Cup for a year. It was a freak injury that was said to be for 25 days which means I would miss the rest of the World Cup, but I pushed. I told the management I would return in five days. I got injections done in my ankle in three places. I had to remove blood from my ankle because of the swelling."

"At one point I knew that if I kept pushing I could be injured for a long time, but that was just not the answer for me. Even if there was one percent chance that I could be with the team, I would do it. I had a reoccurrence which eventually became a three-month injury."

 

[Cricket Warrior]

The star all-rounder has no regrets on trying to return from injury early during the knockout stages of the World Cup. He admitted he would have normally allowed the injury to heal naturally, the 30-year-old said:

"My injury, from day one, showed that I'm going to be out of the World Cup, but playing for India has always been special, especially in a World Cup. (So) we pushed (for) 10 days - we knew that it's an uphill task to be fit for the World Cup semi-finals or finals,"

"When we pushed, I kind of triggered my injury (further), and the injury became a little longer."

"Yes, I will be bowling,"

"My injury at (the) World Cup was a freak injury. It had nothing to do with my past injuries, it had nothing to do with my fitness. When I got fit, the Afghanistan (T20I) series had just started (in January). I've been fit since then, but there were no games to play."

 

[FearlessRoar]

An expensive start with the ball for Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ahmedabad crowd booed the newly appointed Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya

https://twitter.com/x/status/1771894059038032084

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ahmedabad crowd booed the newly appointed Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya

https://twitter.com/x/status/1771894059038032084

During the commentary in IPL 2024 for match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans , Kevin Pietersen asked his co-commentators:

“When was the last time any Indian player got booed like this in India itself?”

 

[FearlessRoar]

During the commentary in IPL 2024 for match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans , Kevin Pietersen asked his co-commentators:

“When was the last time any Indian player got booed like this in India itself?”

West Indies legend Ian Bishop, who was also present in the commentary box, was baffled hearing the boos too as he asked "What can he do to win them back?"

Brian Lara, a legend of the game, decided to respond to Bishop's query as he said: "Play for India....the next time they play here," as Bishop and Pietersen were left laughing loudly.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Gujrat Titans made their life easy by selling Hardik to Mumbai.