Former Australian player feels that this player should be ahead of KL Rahul
India is currently busy hosting South Africa for the five-match T20I series. However, India is already trailing by 2-0 in the series as the Proteas outclassed them in both matches. After winning 12 matches on the trot in this shortest format, India lost these matches and lost the opportunity to create a World record of winning 13 T20I matches consecutively.
On the eve of the series opener, KL Rahul got ruled out of the series due to a groin injury. Hence, the captaincy duties were given to Rishabh Pant. But, till now he failed to guide the team to victory in these two matches. Some of his decisions like not utilizing Yuzvendra Chahal’s full quota of overs in the first match and sending Axar Patel ahead of Dinesh Karthik in the second match were badly criticized by the cricket lovers, fans, and former cricketers.
Now, former Australian spinner, Brad Hogg also shared his opinion on India’s captaincy. He voted for Hardik Pandya due to his recent heroics for his new franchise Gujarat in the Indian T20 League as he led them to the triumph in their first-ever appearance.
He is the most valuable T20 cricketer going around in world cricket right now,” – Brad Hogg
Speaking in a video on Instagram, he said that Hardik Pandya proved his worth in that league and he deserved to be the captain of India in this ongoing South Africa series. He said: “Hardik Pandya should be captain of this T20 team in front of Rahul. He proved his worth in the IPL. He wants those tough moments when the team’s back is against the wall. He wants to go out there and deliver, whether it’s with bat or ball.”
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Hogg also praised his blistering innings of 31* off 12 balls in the first match of the series. “The other night (1st T20I), he came in during those final overs and was able to find the boundary from ball one. Not too many people can do that. And he can go up and do the job at the top of the order if they lose early wickets as well. He is the most valuable T20 cricketer going around in world cricket right now,” he concluded.
Hardik Pandya will be in action again for the third T20I against South Africa on 14 June in Visakhapatnam.
