The 2019 World Cup campaign for India led by Virat Kohli has mostly four specialist bowlers. India have included Hardik Pandya to utilize his all-around capability if needed. Virat Kohli has another option of part time bowler in Kedar Yadav. But the way Pandya has been delivering and showing his effectiveness, he is literally fufilling the fifth bowler option for the team management alone.
He was one of the promising World Cup debutants across all teams at the beginning of the tournament. He has delivered with bat in quite a few matches and also got nine wickets till now.
The first match against South Africa saw Hardik scoring unbeaten 7-ball 15 to win the match with Rohit Sharma. Batting at Number 4 against Australia Hardik knew what he needed to d at that point and delivered the same. His cameo of 48 off 37 balls helped India to score above 350 against the defending champions. Next match was against the arch rivals, Pakistan. He was yet again instrumental with 19-ball 26 runs. The all-rounder missed his first World Cup half century once more when he got out for 46 off 38 against the Windies. But he didn’t miss the chance of utilizing the slog overs once he was there in the 39th over. The match against England saw a different Hardik Pandya. Chaisng 338 was a difficult job for India as they were facing difficulties to earn each run. Pandya walked in with 198/3 on a board and the World Cup debutant Rishabh Pant at the opposite end. That moment needed calmness. The track was difficult and batsmen needed time to settle. Pandya who is basically a hitter went against his nature and played a controlled 45 off 33.
Hardik Pandya gives the option of a regular fifth bowler to Virat Kohli. And this World Cup has been a good justification for the same. In the match against Pakistan he got two major middle order wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Remember that was just halfway to the innings and those two batters had the potential to take the match away from India. Even if we do not consider the wickets against Afghanistan (2/51) and West Indies, in the Bangladesh match once again proved what Pandya is made of. Chasing 314 Bangladesh were batting solidly. Shakib Al Hassan was looking solid as ever and anchoring the chase by building small partnerships time to time. It was almost impossible to send him back. Pandya along with others was taking wickets from other end at regular intervals but Shakib was immovable. Finally Pandya delivered a slower one and Shakib had to surrender. In the 34th over of the Bangladesh innings he finally turned the match back in India’s favor. He picked up his latest one against Sri Lanka.
India have already sealed the semifinal slot which is going to be tough one. If they face England in the match before finale, it will be tougher as the hosts already efficiently stopped India’s winning run. Panyda will be an important factor if India want another triumph. Especially the way he tried to chase against England, reflects his maturity as a batsman as well. To have another Cup, Kohli will need Hardik Pandya as a batter, bowler, even as a fielder- well as everything!