Yuvraj Singh Backs Hardik Pandya for T20 World Cup

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has voiced strong support for all-rounder Hardik Pandya, predicting that he will deliver “something really special” for Team India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup starting June 1 in the West Indies and USA. Yuvraj emphasized that Pandya’s fitness and bowling will be crucial for the Men in Blue during the tournament.

As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 ambassador, Yuvraj discussed the Indian team’s prospects for the tournament. India has already named a formidable 15-member squad and four travelling reserves, led by Rohit Sharma. The team aims to reclaim the T20 World Cup title, which they last won in the inaugural edition in 2007—a victory Yuvraj himself was part of.

Despite Pandya showing signs of bowling form in the IPL, his batting has been lackluster, with only 216 runs in 14 matches following his return from a prolonged injury post the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. However, Yuvraj remains confident in Pandya’s abilities.

“Well, the good thing is that the selection has been made. (Selectors see) how players have performed in international cricket and then they look at IPL form. Just not the IPL form,” Yuvraj noted as quoted by ICC. “Because if you look at the IPL form, Hardik has not done well. Looking at his background for India, what he’s done for India, it is important that he is in the squad. I think his bowling is going to be important, and his fitness is going to be important. And I think he might do something really special in this World Cup,” he added.

Key Players and Combinations

Yuvraj also shared his views on the ideal playing XI, starting with the top order. He believes India should open with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Virat Kohli at number three. “I think Rohit (Sharma) and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal should definitely open. Virat (Kohli) has been batting at No.3 and that’s his position. And then you get Suryakumar (Yadav) at four, and then you got a couple of big options,” he said.

Stressing the importance of a left-right batting combination, Yuvraj favored Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson for the wicket-keeper’s role. “I would probably go for Rishabh. Obviously, Sanju is also in great form, but Rishabh (is a) left-hander, and I believe that Rishabh has massive potential to win games for India, which he has done in the past,” Yuvraj explained.

Additional Insights

Before India’s squad selection, Yuvraj had tipped Shivam Dube to make the squad after his impressive IPL performances. Dube scored 396 runs in 14 matches for Chennai Super Kings at a strike rate of 162.29. Yuvraj expressed his thoughts on Dube’s inclusion: “I just felt the kind of form he is in, it was important for him to be in the squad. I really think he can make a huge difference in the middle order or the lower middle order.”

He also expressed sympathy for Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill, who are among the reserves. “It was a bit unfortunate for Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh. If I talk about Rinku, obviously he has been in good form for India and he has done so well for KKR,” Yuvraj said.

Yuvraj praised the inclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal, who made a comeback to T20I cricket after a year. Chahal’s strong IPL performances have paved the way for his return. “It was nice to see Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, because he has been bowling really well. And second half of the World Cup, you might have wickets slowing down so it is good to keep some bowling options,” he added.

India’s T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on June 5 against Ireland, with a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The team will also face USA (June 12) and Canada (June 15) in their Group A matches.