Robin Uthappa heaped praise upon Hardik Pandya from Team India for his stellar performances at the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. He highlighted how critics had singled out the allrounder for his lackluster stint as the Mumbai Indians captain in IPL 2024.
After taking over as captain from Rohit Sharma, Pandya was met with hostility by supporters, even at MI’s home stadium, Wankhede Stadium. To make matters worse, his individual efforts were rather disappointing as the team finished with the wooden spoon.
Uthappa believes that bouncing back from such a moment requires a lot of character. On Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-commentator stated:
“I love that Hardik is batting so well and bowling so well. And just his demeanour, he has been through a lot.
“If you look at what he has been through the last few months, the last six months, professional life, personal life, the scrutiny, everything he has gone through, to stack up performances that he is stacking up right now, takes a man of deep character. And that needs to be celebrated.”
Robin Uthappa
Hardik Pandya delivered an explosive halfcentury in Indias thrilling encounter with Bangladesh on Saturday June 22. Remaining unconquered on a brisk 50 runs from 27 balls the swashbuckling batsman propelled the team to a formidable total of 1965 securing a resounding 50-run victory.
“Needs to turn up a little bit more” – Robin Uthappa on Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling
Ravindra Jadeja has unable to make a meaningful impact at the current showcase. Robin Uthappa believes the left-arm spinner must bowl more overs to recover his rhythm.
Uthappa suggested that the game against Australia would be an excellent moment for Jadeja to get in a few overs:
“I think Jaddu, especially as a bowler, needs to turn up a little bit more. I think he’s a rhythm guy and I don’t think he’s able to bowl often enough.
Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa added:
“I think that rhythm, when it’s not there, he also backs himself a little bit lesser. So, I would like for him to bowl a lot more before the semifinals happen against a good side and this seems like the perfect team to be able to do that.”
Robin Uthappa
Ravindra Jadeja has one wicket in four matches with a 6.77 economy rate in the 2024 T20 World Cup. India’s final Super 8 match will be against Australia on Monday (June 24).