New Delhi, Jan 4: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has labelled India all-rounder Hardik Pandya a “big pivotal player” for the Indian team as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, underlining his match-winning ability with both bat and ball.
Speaking on his YouTube channel while breaking down India’s squad, de Villiers highlighted the depth and flexibility within the side, noting the abundance of players who can contribute in multiple disciplines.
“There are a lot of players offering skill with both bat and ball, so you can really play around with the balance of the squad,” de Villiers said on AB de Villiers 360.
He also pointed out some notable absentees from the squad, mentioning that players such as Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jitesh Sharma were among those who narrowly missed out, while naming Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as key selections.
However, de Villiers made it clear that Pandya stands out as the most influential figure in the lineup.
“Hardik will be the big pivotal player. He’s the guy who can win you games with bat and ball. He can bowl in any situation, he can bat anywhere in the line-up,” he said.
Explaining the pressure Pandya exerts on opponents, de Villiers noted the psychological impact of his presence.
“When he walks out to bat, there’s a feeling in the opposition that if he bats for three or four overs, you could lose the game,” he remarked.
The former Proteas skipper added that Pandya is just as threatening with the ball, describing him as a partnership-breaker who can change the course of a match instantly.
“The moment he comes on to bowl, you feel he has a golden arm and might just break the stand. He’s a great asset for Suryakumar Yadav to have in the team,” de Villiers said.
Pandya’s recent performances have further reinforced that reputation. In the ongoing domestic season, he smashed his maiden List A century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, hammering 133 off 92 balls for Baroda against Vidarbha, an innings studded with eight fours and 11 sixes.
He also made headlines by plundering 34 runs in a single over, striking five successive sixes before finishing with a boundary.
The all-rounder also impressed in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, where he amassed 142 runs in three innings at an average of 71.00 and a strike rate of 186.84, including two half-centuries, heading into the World Cup in red-hot form. (Agencies)
