Harbhajan Singh likens Hardik Pandya to MS Dhoni: He has got capability to captain India
India Today
Asia Cup 2022: Harbhajan Singh said Hardik Pandya has a different level of 'swag' when he walks out to bat and that the Baroda all-rounder has all the abilities to become India captain in the future.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said on Tuesday, August 30 that he is sure of Hardik Pandya captaining India's white-ball sides in the future, saying he has been impressed with the calm and composed nature of the all-rounder ever since he returned from an injury layoff.
Harbhajan Singh, speaking to SportsTak ahead of India's 2nd Asia Cup 2022 match against Hong Kong, said Hardik Pandya reminds him of MS Dhoni with the way he calculates his innings and keeps his composure in the middle.
Harbhajan Singh's comments came after Hardik Pandya shone with an all-round show India's 5-wicket win over Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2022 opener on Sunday in Dubai. Hardik picked up 3 wickets and conceded just 26 runs in his 4-over quota and hit 33 not out off just 17 balls.
Hardik held his nerves in a thrilling last over. When the equation got down to 6 off 3, Hardik trusted his ability and hit a flat six into the mid-wicket region to help India successfully complete a 148-run chase and begin their campaign in Dubai with a win over their arch-rivals.
"He should become captain, I think he will become captain. He has shown a different avatar in the recent past. He has become like an MS Dhoni, he is very calm and composed. He is batting very well and he trusts his ability very much," Harbhajan Singh said.
Hardik Pandya's Team India future was in doubt when he opted to take an extended break after the T20 World Cup last year. Hardik was out on the sidelines for over 5 months but when he returned to action in IPL 2022, Hardik was fit and charged up.
Hardik's improved fitness was on display when he bowled in the IPL for the first time in 2 years, leading Gujarat Titans to the title in their maiden stint in the T20 league. Hardik batted at No. 4 for Gujarat and finished games consistently.
