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Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya says of himself, “I can bowl 140 kph, swing the ball both ways, and also bat”

By
Vishwajeet Jaiswal
Hey, I’m Vishwajeet Jaiswal! Ever since I was a kid, I loved sharing the latest news with my friends. What started as a childhood habit has...
5 Min Read

Hardik Pandya has developed into a world-class all-rounder since joining the Indian team for the second time. His bowling has gotten faster, his fielding has gotten better, and his batting has displayed impressive maturity. The addition of his captaincy completes Hardik’s representation of the ideal cricketer. Hardik has made some significant contributions with the bat, including during the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, and he also bowls fast and with swing. It should not come as a surprise that the BCCI is grooming Hardik to become India’s next white-ball captain now that he has recovered from a back injury that almost ended his career.

Any cricketer who brings what Hardik does to the table is automatically selected for the team, but while India’s T20I captain combines all three skillsets, another all-rounder from India believes he can compete with Pandya’s abilities. Deepak Chahar, who hasn’t been considered since August of last year due to two significant injuries, is planning his return to the Indian team now that he’s feeling better. Chahar is targeting the 50-over World Cup later this year and, despite not having played much in recent months, he knows what it takes to get there.

“The procedure is easy. I used to adhere to this procedure even when I wasn’t playing for India, and it is still the same today. They used to make fun of me when I was having trouble with my state team and would say to my teammates that one day I’ll play for India. Back then, I also thought that if I could bowl at a speed of about 140 kph and swing the ball both ways, I would have no trouble getting batters out. He will always have a place in the Indian team, even in 10 to 15 years from now, if I can bat a little. I want to get there because I know that when I do, my performance will improve and I’ll be chosen on my own. I want to bowl in the 140s today as well, swing both ways, and contribute with the bat,” Chahar said to the press.

Chahar missed the World Cup in Australia last year due to a stress fracture in his back. After appearing to be healthy again, the Indian quickly injured his quadriceps in the second ODI against Bangladesh in December. During the IPL, Chahar’s return to the Indian team will face a tough challenge where both his skills and fitness will be put to the test.

He can swing the ball, produce some pace, and swing his bat effectively, as Chahar correctly noted. Chahar helped India win by a slim margin in July 2021 and came close to doing it again in South Africa a few months later. Hardik is a unique asset, which is why Chahar is confident that if he can perform when needed, he will be able to not only reclaim his spot in the Indian team but also possibly cement it.

“Since the competition is fierce, you must undoubtedly set yourself apart from the crowd. Since I’ve been batting since I was a kid, that’s a plus for me. I have always kept it in my mind. I had opportunities last year, which allowed me to score runs. I’ll give it my all if I have the chance to make matches and win matches. Look at Hardik Pandya; he is an all-around player who can bat, swing, and bowl quickly. In a year or two, no one else will be able to replace him in the Indian team. He can do all three, making him the best all-arounder in the world. Therefore, it’s not just me; if any player can do that, he will justify a spot in the team,” he continued.

Also Read: ‘Ye deserve hi nahi karte. Bahaana kuch bhi nahi hai…’: One-liner by the former captain of Pakistan regarding KL Rahul vs Shubman Gill (sportsdigest.in)

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Hey, I’m Vishwajeet Jaiswal! Ever since I was a kid, I loved sharing the latest news with my friends. What started as a childhood habit has turned into a passion, and now I have the privilege of sharing news, stories about Sports, Tech, and iGaming content with SEO best practises. Writing has always been a part of who I am, and it’s something I’m truly passionate about.