World Cup 2019: There is no one closer to Hardik Pandya’s talent in Indian team, says Virender Sehwag

Hardik Pandya has played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians’ record fourth title triumph in the IPL recently, coming into the lucrative T20 league after enduring a tumultuous phase following his outrage-evoking remarks on women on a chat show.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has talent unmatched by any other player in the Indian cricket team, says big-hitting former opener Virender Sehwag.

File image of Hardik Pandya. (AP)

According to Sehwag, Hardik is one that has become irreplaceable in recent times.

Hardik has played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians’ record fourth title triumph in the IPL recently, coming into the lucrative T20 league after enduring a tumultuous phase following his outrage-evoking remarks on women on a chat show.

Having served the ensuing ban, the star all-rounder pummelled 402 runs in 15 innings in the IPL at a staggering strike rate of 191.42, and a highest score of 91.

“There is no one even closer to Hardik Pandya’s talent with both bat and ball. If there was someone even closer to him, the three-dimensional players picked by BCCI, were even closer to him, Pandya would not have made it back into the team,” Sehwag told ‘Cricketnext’ website.

Hardik is part of the 15-man Indian squad for the upcoming World Cup and is expected to leave his mark on the showpiece with his exploits. Along with India teammate K L Rahul, Hardik was flown back from Australia after the duo made some controversial remarks on the chat show, ‘Koffee with Karan’ earlier this year.