Hardik Pandya
It’s been just about a year since Pandya made his international debut - incidentally against the Kiwis – as a limited overs specialist. He had grabbed the attention of selectors with some sizzling performances in the IPL.
He made a decent impact in T20 internationals and was soon drafted into the ODI team. On the recent tour of Sri Lanka, he got picked for the first Test to the raised eyebrows of skeptics, and to the surprise of many, played the entire series.
Today, he is among the few whose name is in the first list for selection in the playing XI in all formats. Indeed, Pandya’s rise as a major player is remarkable for the intense competition for places in the Indian team and his limited international experience.
In a way, this reflects the richness of young talent currently in Indian cricket. There are three or four players vying for virtually every place. But while this gives the selectors multiple options (and a seet dilemma!) it has also increased the pressure on players enormously.
Already, we have seen some major upheavals in batting and bowling: For instance, Ashwin, Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Shami and K L Rahul – frontliners till a few months ago - have been unable to retain their places in the ODI squad.
In this scenario, Pandya has shown spunk, sizzle and a strong survival instinct. He’s edged his way past those considered certainties not too long back, and is fast emerging as a player whom the captain has come to rely on for turning a match around, with bat or ball.
It’s been just about a year since Pandya made his international debut - incidentally against the Kiwis – as a limited overs specialist. He had grabbed the attention of selectors with some sizzling performances in the IPL.
He made a decent impact in T20 internationals and was soon drafted into the ODI team. On the recent tour of Sri Lanka, he got picked for the first Test to the raised eyebrows of skeptics, and to the surprise of many, played the entire series.
Today, he is among the few whose name is in the first list for selection in the playing XI in all formats. Indeed, Pandya’s rise as a major player is remarkable for the intense competition for places in the Indian team and his limited international experience.
In a way, this reflects the richness of young talent currently in Indian cricket. There are three or four players vying for virtually every place. But while this gives the selectors multiple options (and a seet dilemma!) it has also increased the pressure on players enormously.
Already, we have seen some major upheavals in batting and bowling: For instance, Ashwin, Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Shami and K L Rahul – frontliners till a few months ago - have been unable to retain their places in the ODI squad.
In this scenario, Pandya has shown spunk, sizzle and a strong survival instinct. He’s edged his way past those considered certainties not too long back, and is fast emerging as a player whom the captain has come to rely on for turning a match around, with bat or ball.
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