OPINION
Follow UsThere is no definitive data to prove the theory but there is enough evidence that bowling captains, or even all-rounders, start underusing themselves once appointed in the leadership role. It can be due to a number of reasons unknown to us being the external observers.
Hardik Pandya, however, is nothing like that. He is an expressive personality who wears his heart on his sleeves. He likes to live his life king size and the same takes shape in his captaincy.
“Captaincy is always fun”, said Pandya in the presentation ceremony after Match 24 of IPL 2022. That is Pandya being Pandya. While many have been burdened by captaincy (not saying that those who underused themselves did it out of pressure), Pandya has embraced the role with open arms.
With no foot on the brakes, he is riding the bull by its horns. The 28-year old has assumed more responsibility than he has been assigned before. A prime example of this was seen in Gujarat’s win over Rajasthan. It was heavily influenced by the skipper who scored an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls, ran out his opposite number with a direct hit that broke the middle-stump and then took a catch off his own bowling.
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In his seven seasons with Mumbai Indians, Pandya batted only 12 out of his 85 innings at four or above. In Gujarat’s first game of the season, it raised a few eyebrows when he walked out to bat at number four. More than the number, it was the match situation. Chasing 158, Gujarat were 15 for two in the third over. He had the experience of facing only 36 balls in the powerplay in IPL before that.
This season, he has batted at four every game and thrice, he has started his innings in the powerplay, remaining unbeaten in the phase on all three occasions. Consequently, he has faced more deliveries in five innings this season than he did in 2021 (112 deliveries in 11 innings) and 2020 (157 deliveries in 13 innings).
“I am not used to batting this long. I have been in this situation where I have taken the role of scoring a 12-ball 30. It is difficult but now at four, I can control the game,” said Pandya after the game.
He always had the qualities of a proper batter, especially on true pitches. He showed plenty of his batting expertise during the white-ball leg of India’s 2020/21 season in Australia. In the last two games, he has given us another firm reminder, walking out to bat within the powerplay and batting through. Against Rajasthan, it was an exhibition of a brilliant mind at its calculative best.
Procuring a headstart against the youngster Kuldeep Sen, he was watchful against the opposition’s most effective bowler - Yuzvendra Chahal. Acknowledging the support from Abhinav Manohar in ensuring the flow of runs from one end, Pandya held his fort in the middle-overs. But he was critical about not repeating the same mistake as in the last match.
“The last game it did not come off but today I made sure I did,” Pandya said.
In the 15th over, he struck Ravichandran Ashwin for consecutive sixes to set the acceleration that was missing in his 42-ball 50 not out against Hyderabad. The strike-rate of 167.3 at the end of the innings buried the claims that he is batting a spot high.
This sort of role was unavailable with the Mumbai Indians. The move to the new franchise has worked in Pandya’s favor. Not to forget, the pitches this IPL season are much better than the tracks Mumbai played on last season - an assortment of low and slow tracks in Chennai and then UAE.
His work with the ball has been more astonishing. While many just wanted to see him bowl in any amount possible, he is fulfilling his four-over quota. He is touching the 140kph mark and has also shared the new ball with Mohammad Shami. For an individual whose primary skill lies in batting, his economy of 7.6 is worth gold dust for his team.
Gujarat’s imperfection has worked in Pandya’s favor. The numerous red flags in both the batting and bowling department have allowed him to meet his rising ambitions. Gujarat-Pandya has turned into a fruitful relationship where both parties are thriving off each other.
This natural flair to step on the gas is crystal clear in his captaincy. He is not afraid to bowl three overs of Mohammad Shami in the powerplay or to bowl out Lockie Ferguson by the 17th over. Pandya is a captain who likes to make things happen rather than waiting for them. So far, it has worked completely in Gujarat’s favor.
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Hardik Pandya 2.0 is vital for India. Over two years ago in Australia, he proved he can play solely as a batter. The existing dynamics of the Indian team, however, demand him to bowl, especially on those sluggish pitches where his batting is still unproven.
Returning to cricket after the poor T20 World Cup last year, Pandya has answered all questions with flying colors; be it his batting, his fitness or bowling potential. Prior to the tournament, he was asked what can be expected from Hardik Pandya the all-rounder. He stayed ambiguous with his answer, saying it’s a surprise.
Fair to say, he has reminded everyone why he is miles ahead of any other seam bowling all-round options in the country at present. No other Indian all-rounder has scored over 100 runs and bowled more than two overs of medium-pace as yet this season.