All-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to be back in action for Team India as the Men in Blue begin their preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a five-match home T20I series against South Africa. The series opener is scheduled to be played in Cuttack on December 9.
Speaking about the highly anticipated return of the star India all-rounder on Follow the Blues, JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar highlighted just how special Hardik is as a cricketer.
He stated, “Look at all the all-rounders in world cricket now. Does England have a back-up for Ben Stokes? No. In one-day or even Test cricket, there is no back-up for Ravindra Jadeja. It is the same with Hardik Pandya. He can command a spot in the top five on his batting alone. He could also be one of the top three seamers in any team if he was just a bowler. The point is, to be that kind of all-rounder, you must earn your place with your batting and also with your bowling. There is no other player like Hardik Pandya in the Indian team.”
Bangar also highlighted how important it is to manage Hardik’s workload. He added, “It is too early to say if Hardik should play six or seven T20Is before the World Cup. But he should at least play the first three matches against South Africa. We need to see how he copes. Playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is different from the intensity of an international game. The team management must manage the workload of important players like him.”
Pandya has been out of action since the Asia Cup 2025 due to a left quadricep injury. He was then seen in the T20 format for Baroda in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
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