Indian Cricket Team under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma created history as they won the T20 World Cup 2024 in style. They did not lose any game in the tournament and became the first side to win the tournament without losing any game. Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain and the all-rounder, w as sensational with his performance. He chipped up with the bat in crucial stages against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and England. He also picked up wickets to break the partnerships. In the final, when the game was gone from India’s hands, Pandya picked up the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen which brought India back in the game. He also bowled the all important final over, defended the runs and helped India become world champions.
However, Pandya has not had an easy ride till the T20 World Cup. He was brutally abused and jeered everywhere in India, as Mumbai Indians brought him back and appointed him as captain, sacking Rohit Sharma. Pandya has also had to face a lot of trolls for being sidelined due to injuries in crucial ,moments. However, the Baroda all-rounder has always stood up under pressure. This time around, he managed to shut up the trolls with his performance in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Sunil Gavaskar talks about whether Hardik Pandya should be picked for test cricket
Meanwhile, India will now be focussing on the World test Championship. They had been consistent in test cricket, but have lost the final of WTC in 2021 and also in 2023. However, to qualify for the final, they have an all important 5-game test series in Australia. It is going to be a hell of a fight and Sunil Gavaskar wants Hardik Pandya to be picked up for the test series. Pandya has not played test cricket for a quite a while, as he wants to focus on white-ball game due to his recurrent fitness issues.
“Yes, absolutely, they can. I think in the next two months, there should be an attempt to convince Hardik Pandya to play Test cricket. If he bowls ten overs a day to go with his batting, this Indian team could become invincible, and they can surely go on and win the WTC and beat Australia in Australia,” Gavaskar said.
