‘Little Master’ Sunil Gavaskar believes that Hardik Pandya will be India's match-winner, and he will win matches irrespective of the position he bats or bowls.
Making his national comeback after a gap of 7 months, Hardik made an amazing 31 off 12 deliveries while batting at the fifth position, and he also delivered an over for 18 runs.
Despite putting up a big total of 212 runs, India's 12th 200-plus total in a T20I inning, the bowling attack was unable to defend the total, as South Africa batters chased down the total with five balls remaining thanks to an unbeaten 131-run stand between David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen off just 63 balls.
While speaking about the Baroda all-rounder on Star Sports, the batting maestro showered praise on Pandya and wanted the 28-year-old cricketer to bowl with the new ball on a few occasions.
Hardik bowled in the powerplay with the new ball on a few occasions for his team- Gujarat Titans (GT), in IPL 2022. Often, the marquee all-rounder clicked 145 kmph during the tournament. However, he is unlikely to open the bowling for the Indian team, considering the number of options India has with the new ball.
"I think he is going to be the game-changer for India, more often than not, in all the matches that are due to come, not just the World Cup but every single match that India plays, whether he bats at No. 5, whether he comes into bowl at first change or second change. Sometimes I will actually want to see him with the new ball," Gavaskar told Star Sports.
The Titans’ skipper led his team to IPL 2022 triumph in his maiden stint as a captain. He finished as the fourth-highest run-getter in the tournament this year after scoring 487 runs in 15 matches. He also bowled in 10 games and picked up eight wickets.
India and South Africa will play the second T20I of their five-match series. The game is set to take place at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium.