South African cricket legend AB de Villiers has put the spotlight on Hardik Pandya, calling him a “big key player” as India prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Renowned for his analytical insight, De Villiers discussed the Indian team on his YouTube platform and emphasized the importance of match winners in major tournaments.
De Villiers analyzed the composition of the Indian team, noting the versatility and balance of the selection. “There are a lot of players who offer skill with both bat and ball, so you can really play with the balance of the squad,” he said, highlighting how this depth allows India to adapt their strategies as needed.
De Villiers further broke down the squad, listing the key names and absences: “Abhishek Sharma up front, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. I haven’t spotted any Rishabh Pant here, no Shubman Gill, no Yashasvi Jaiswal, no Jitesh Sharma, so those are the unlucky ones who missed out,” he noted. This underlines the intense competition for places and tough decisions by the selectors.
Despite significant omissions, Hardik Pandya’s role is crucial. De Villiers explained, “Hardik will be a big pivot. He’s a guy who can win you games with bat and bowl. He can bowl in any situation, he can bat anywhere in the line-up,” reflecting Pandya’s value as a flexible all-rounder capable of influencing games in many facets.
Elaborating on Pandya’s threat to the opposition, De Villiers said: “When he bats, the opposition feels that we need to get him out, we lose the game if he bowls three or four overs,” highlighting the psychological pressure Pandya applies. He added, “Like with the ball in hand, the moment he comes on, you feel he has a golden arm and he might just break the partnership, so it’s a big asset for Suryakumar (Yadav) to have in the team,” noting Pandya’s knack for breakthroughs.
Hardik Pandya’s recent performances boost his reputation. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he produced a stunning List A maiden century, scoring 133 off 92 balls for Baroda against Vidarbha, including eight fours and 11 sixes with one over giving 34 runs. Pandya also impressed in the T20I series against South Africa, amassing 142 runs in three innings at an average of 71.00 and a strike rate of 186.84, with two half-centuries. These displays underscore his readiness to play a central role in India’s T20 World Cup campaign.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 4, 2026
