Less than a year ago, Hardik Pandya was struggling to keep his place in the Indian team.
His back troubles were proving to be his bane. While he was drafted into the T20 World Cup squad as an all-rounder, he bowled a total of 4 overs in the tournament in the UAE.
9 months have passed since then and in this time, he has won the IPL, he has captained the national side and he continues to be in top form.
The back is holding up just fine, and his bowling. Well, he's bowling like a dream! The 28-year-old had no trouble bending his back in Dubai this time around.
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Hardik finished with figures of 3/25 against India's arch-rivals Pakistan and it was his spell of some sensational short-pitched stuff that put Pakistan on the mat. Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohd Rizwan & Khushdil Shah found him unplayable and their downfall opened the floodgates for India to dominate.
The Men in Green eventually finished with 147 and while, Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up 4/26 - the best T20I figures by an Indian against Pakistan, it was Hardik really who dealt the decisive blows.
And then he walked in to bat at 89/4 when India were in a spot of bother. He first put together a 52-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja. Cool as a cucumber, he didn't panic even when the run rate was constantly creeping up.
Three boundaries in the penultimate over, followed by a six to finish off the game, Hardik'a vital contributions once again proved why's he now indispensable to Team India. The Men in Blue will be hoping their star all-rounder can stay fit, for Team India look invincible when Hardik Pandya is firing!
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