T20 World Cup: Hardik Pandya may do what Ravi Shastri did in 1985 World Championship, says Sunil Gavaskar

T20 World Cup 2022: Speaking to India Today, legendary Sunil Gavaskar backed Hardik Pandya to play an important position with each bat and ball within the T20 showpiece in Australia. Gavaskar recalled Ravi Shastri’s all-round efforts within the 1985 World Championship of Cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar backs Hardik Pandya to be India’s trump card at T20 World Cup 2022 (Reuters Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSHardik Pandya has been a key member of India’s T20I aspect in 2022Hardik was picked in India’s 15-man squad for T20 World CupIndia will open their World Cup marketing campaign on October 23

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed Hardik Pandya to be India’s trump card on the T20 World Cup 2022, including that the all-rounder may do what Ravi Shastri did for India on the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.

Sunil Gavaskar, talking to India Today, stated Hardik Pandya may very well be India’s trump on the T20 World Cup in Australia together with his all-round expertise, together with the electrifying fielding efforts.

The legendary batter recalled how Ravi Shastri’s all-round efforts helped him lead India to a well-known victory within the 1985 World Championship of Cricket, which got here 2 years after Kapil’s Devils shocked the world and lifted the World Cup trophy on the Home of Cricket in London.

Ravi Shastri hit 182 runs, together with 3 fifties, 5 matches and picked up 8 wickets with an economic system price of three.32 as India went on to beat Pakistan within the remaining and emerge profitable. Gavaskar was hailed for his captaincy in Australia as he fearlessly used leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan to nice impact within the 50-over competitors.

“Yes, I think he could possibly do what Ravi Shastri did in 1985 where Ravi was the outstanding performer with both bat and ball in the entire tournament. Some good catches as well. Hardik Pandya is capable of doing that,” Sunil Gavaskar stated after India’s T20 World Cup squad was introduced on Monday, September 12.

“Don’t forget, at mid-off, he affects some electrifying run-outs as well. Direct hits at the bowler’s end, catching the batter inches short. It’s not just the bowling and the batting aspects of Hardik Pandya, the fielding aspect that could turn the game India’s way. I won’t be surprised if he is like the Ravi Shastri of 1985, if he is like the Champion of Champions,” he added.

Hardik has been warming as much as the T20 World Cup nicely with some match-winning performances for India in T20is. Ever since his comeback after an extended harm layoff, Hardik has been one in all India’s most constant performers with each bat and ball.

After a surprising IPL 2022 whereby he led Gujarat Titans to title on their debut, Hardik has scored 331 runs in 15 innings in 2022 at a strike price of over 140 and has picked up 12 wickets as nicely.

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