The Indian cricket team is set to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026 as Asia Cup 2025 is about to commence. It is said that the team selection has been a blend of experienced players along with the new
talent at such a high stakes tournament. In such a scenario, where the senior players are expected to lead the newer ones with an example, spotlight will be on Hardik Pandya. Apart from being a senior member of the contingent, reports claim that his tactical acumen with the bat and the ball can prove to be very essential for the team if any pressure situation arises.
Former Assistant coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Abhishek Nayar corroborates this. In an interview with Star Sports, Nayar shared his belief of Hardik Pandya being an “invaluable player” and an “absolute game changer” for the Indian team. “When you look at world cricket, how many players do you really have who can bowl with the new ball, bowl at the death, deliver four overs consistently, and also play impact knocks against both spin and pace?” asked Abhishek Nayar. He further added that Hardik’s biggest strength is his personality. “Knowing that when he’s out in the middle, there’s always an assurance that something remarkable can happen,” Abhishek Nayar added.
Hardik Pandya bowled the final over in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa
Hardik Pandya’s role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup is said to be a defining one, especially as he bowled the last over in the final to secure Indian team’s victory and end their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. Hardik also broke the 45-runs partnership of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, which almost turned the game in the favour of Proteas. In the final over, South Africa needed 16 to win the game. With David Miller on strike, it seemed that South Africa would get through, but the wide full toss by Hardik and the sensational catch of Suryakumar Yadav resulted in Miller’s dismissal, which reportedly became one of the most defining moments of the match.
Post the T20 World Cup victory, IPL 2025 became a platform for Hardik Pandya to shine as a captain again after a dismal performance in the 2024 season. In the 18th edition of the league, Mumbai Indians qualified to the playoffs and got defeated by Punjab Kings in the Eliminator. In the matches Hardik appeared after the T20 World Cup 2024, he scored 325 runs with a strike rate of 146.39, more than his T20Is career strike rate of 141.67, and took 13 wickets. This highlights his importance for the Indian team in the Asia Cup 2025.
