New Delhi: If fit, Hardik Pandya should be the first name on the sheet for India, for he is irreplaceable in the current set-up owing to his uniqueness.
With incredible depth, India, for once, can afford to be without proven matchwinners like Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, but no one can replace the quality, skills and game-changing ability that Hardik possesses. Such is Hardik’s impact that India would even be tempted to wrap him in cotton wool to ensure he enters the T20 World Cup 2026 in optimum fitness.
Returning from a nearly two-month layoff due left quadriceps injury, Hardik delivered a match-winning performance to help India take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series against South Africa. Despite being away from top-level cricket for such a long time, Hardik played as if he had never been away. He began the innings with two nonchalant sixes and never looked back.
The 32-year-old all-rounder scored an unbeaten 28-ball 59 on a pitch where all the others struggled for timing and pace. He took the pitch out of the equation with his aggressive and positive approach. At times, it almost felt like he was batting on a different track.
Hardik Pandya’s explosive injury comeback: India’s match-winning return
When he came to the crease at 78 for 4 in the 12th over, India’s innings had no momentum at all, and the team was staring at a below-par total. In the blink of an eye, he turned a dismal situation better by propelling the hosts to a formidable total of 175 for 6. With the ball, he took the important wicket of dangerous David Miller, having him nick behind off the inside edge for 1. South Africa eventually slumped to 74 all out, their lowest T20I total as India registered a massive 101-run win.
Hardik Pandya scored a blazing fifty against South Africa in the Cuttack T20I. (Image: PTI)
It’s not easy for a player at a top level to come out from an injury, let alone return in such a manner. For Hardik, it was all about the mental strength to reach his peak fitness.
“My mindset was really about coming back stronger, bigger, better. Injuries test you mentally, and at the same point in time, it kind of puts a lot of doubts… and a lot of credit to the loved ones,” said Pandya in a video posted on bcci.tv.
“I’ve stood strong, I’ve done a lot of things with grace and that has helped me to become even more confident, back myself and really trust my skillset… I really believe in myself as a player. I’ve always believed that if you don’t believe in yourself, how would others believe you,” he added.
The irreplaceable all-rounder: Hardik Pandya’s unique skills & team balance
Pandya will be one of the most important members, if not the most important member, in India’s T20 World Cup campaign, not just because of his all-round skills but because of the unique skillset he possesses. Nobody in the Indian cricket circuit could do what he did on Tuesday, which makes him irreplaceable. Besides the skills and quality, the balance he brings to the team is bar none.
When fit and firing, Hardik opens up endless options for India. He can bat anywhere in the middle order and strengthens the batting department, besides adding muscle and depth to the line-up. Hardik’s ball-striking ability puts him in a rare category of hitters who can change the complexion of a game from any position.
With the ball, he gives India an option to play six genuine bowlers. On a lively track similar to the one at the Barabati Stadium, India can play with three attacking options in Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy. On slower and drier pitches, Kuldeep Yadav could replace Arshdeep, allowing Hardik to take the new ball.
Road to T20 World Cup 2026: Managing Hardik Pandya’s fitness & impact
His worth is reflected in India’s numbers since the start of 2024. With him in the playing XI, India have won 26 of their 29 T20Is, while without him, India have nine wins, two losses and two ties.
With a bad history of recurring injuries, there is always a risk of Hardik breaking down. For that reason, the Indian team management has decided that the all-rounder will only feature in T20Is in the run-up to the T20 World Cup scheduled for the February-March cycle next year. India will play 10 T20Is (5 each vs SA and New Zealand) before beginning the T20 world title defence at home.
For Hardik, this is a period of great conundrum, for this duration poses a big challenge, when he must give his all for the team, but at the same time handle himself with care.
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