Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg reckons that IPL 2022 winning captain Hardik Pandya as the most valuable T20 cricketer and even claims that Hardik should be named as the Indian T20I captain in the absence of KL Rahul.
KL Rahul has been named as the captain of the Indian T20I captain for the South Africa T20I series in the absence of Rohit Sharma. But KL Rahul was ruled out of the South Africa T20I series owing to a groin injury.
The Indian selection committee has named Rishabh Pant as the skipper of the Indian cricket in the absence of KL Rahul.
Earlier Hardik Pandya who was named as full-time captain of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 led the new franchise to lift their maiden IPL trophy in their maiden appearance.
Most Valuable T20 Cricketer
Brad Hogg feels that Hardik Pandya who earlier proves his captaincy skill in IPL should be named as the Indian cricket team captain.
“Hardik Pandya should be captain of this T20 team in front of Rahul,” Hogg said in a video on his Instagram account.
“He proved his worth in the IPL. He wants those tough moments when the team’s back is against the wall. He wants to go out there and deliver, whether it’s with a bat or ball.”
Pandya has also shown he can mould his role with the bat as per the match situation be it as an accumulator or switch to a pinch-hitter.
Hogg termed Pandya as the ‘most valuable T20 cricketer’ right now in the world.
“The other night (1st T20I vs South Africa in Delhi), he came in during those final overs and was able to find the boundary from ball one. Not too many people can do that. And he can go up and do the job at the top of the order if they lose early wickets as well. He is the most valuable T20 cricketer going around in world cricket right now,” he said.
In the five-match T20I series, India lost the first two matches and will play the third and a must-win match today in Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
