Hardik Pandya has not been having the best of Indian Premier League seasons – be it with the bat, ball or even in the capacity as a leader. The Mumbai Indians captain has scored 197 runs and taken just six wickets in 10 games with his team languishing in the ninth spot.
Sunil Gavaskar though feel there is no reason to get overly worried about Pandya’s form going into the T20 World Cup, saying the allrounder will be a ‘different player’ in national colours.
Pandya has been appointed as vice-captain of the 15-member world cup squad announced on Tuesday.
“There’s a big difference playing in the IPL and playing for your country. Playing for your country brings out something different in every player and Hardik Pandya will be a different player,” said Gavaskar on Sports Today.
“He’s had to face a lot of issues in this particular tournament (IPL), he’s handled it quite well. When he goes overseas and has to play for India, I think he will be in a completely different frame of mind.
“And that’s going to be a much more positive frame of mind than maybe what we have seen here in this tournament. So, Hardik Pandya will make a contribution with both bat and ball in this tournament,” he added.
Gavaskar has no doubts that the Rohit Sharma-led India will do well in the marquee event and the team has the capability to bring back the World Cup.
“I don’t know the reason but this Indian team looks a very good team, no question about it. Its got plenty of experience, they’ve got some real big hitters, they’ve got variety in bowling as well,” he said.
“They are title contenders, without a question. At the international level, sometimes you need a bit of luck and if this Indian team has just that little bit of luck, then I’m very confident that after 2007 (triumph), the T20 World Cup will come back to India,” he added.
