Hardik has done much better than what was expected of him: Harbhajan

Former Indian offspinner Harbhajan Singh feels playing Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson at No.3 has worked for India in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 43-year-old said having someone like Pant gives India that much-needed left-right combination at the top, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opening the innings.

Many expected Samson to start over Pant after the kind of IPL 2024 the former had. Samson smashed 531 runs @ 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.5, while Pant got 446 runs @ 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.4. The latter is currently India’s leading run-scorer in the World Cup, having hit 96 runs across three innings at an average of 48.

“Rishabh Pant played at number 3. His role was completely changed. Before this World Cup, we were saying that Sanju Samson will play in the team because he has made big runs. To make Rishabh Pant play at number 3 is a big positive. The left-right combination is formed when Rishabh Pant plays at number 3,” Harbhajan said on Star Sports. 

“There are a lot of positives. Of course, there are challenges and difficulties. But the challenges come in front of those who are brave. This team is a team of brave players. They fought well and played very well. Because of this, they topped the group.” 

India remained unbeaten in the group stage, defeating Ireland, Pakistan and the USA, while their game against Canada was washed out. Hardik Pandya has played a major role with the ball and is the joint highest wicket-taker for India. The ace all-rounder didn’t have a great IPL 2024 but has managed to take seven wickets @ 9.28 and an economy of 5.41.

“The biggest positive is that Hardik Pandya took the wicket. He was the fourth bowler in this tournament. But if you look at his wicket tally, he has done much better than what was expected of him,” praised Harbhajan, who was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squads.

The only close game India had in the group stage was against Pakistan, where they could only score 119 runs. In reply, Pakistan were 80/3 in 14 overs, but that’s when all hell broke loose. Jasprit Bumrah knocked over well-set Mohammad Rizwan and Pakistan eventually fell short by six runs.

“The biggest positive is that when you are in trouble, how do you get out of it?  One or the other player raised his hand and did his job that day. Jasprit Bumrah’s spell, Rizwan hit a bad shot and got out, after that the energy team showed up was commendable. All those who were asleep they woke up and pulled the match from that situation while defending a small score. It was not a common thing to win the match against Pakistan from their claws.”

India’s first game of the Super 8 stage is against Afghanistan on June 20. The Men in Blue will then take on Bangladesh on June 22 and Australia on June 24.

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