New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer and national selector Jatin Paranjape believes that the fast-bowling leader Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya will serve as the crucial assets for the defending champions as they embark on their Super Eights journey in the Men’s T20 World Cup, beginning with a match against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

In three group matches, Bumrah has secured four wickets with an economy rate of six and a strike rate of 13.5. Meanwhile, Hardik has scored 87 runs at a batting strike rate of 155 and taken five wickets with an economy of 7.9. His outstanding all-round display included a score of 52 and bowling figures of 2-28 in India's victory over Namibia in New Delhi earlier this month.

“The player who elevates this Indian team to a completely different level is Hardik Pandya. Without him, this team is considerably weaker. Hardik's dedication to his game over the past year has been incredible, undeterred by external noise,” Paranjape stated in an exclusive interview with IANS on Saturday.

“He has faced significant challenges in his personal life, yet he is a player I admire for his remarkable improvement in batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness. Hardik is pivotal to India's success,” he added.

Having previously captained the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Hardik is familiar with the conditions and dimensions of the Ahmedabad ground. This familiarity is evident in his impressive tally of 470 runs in 19 T20I innings there, maintaining a strike rate of 142.

In last year’s concluding T20I against South Africa at the same venue, Hardik scored 63 runs off just 25 balls, helping India clinch the series 4-1. With India having lost 11 wickets to off-spin - the highest among all teams in this World Cup - Hardik is expected to offer vital support, especially since players like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav have struggled against spin.

Hardik and Bumrah have also contributed significantly to India achieving the best economy rate among all bowling units (7) and the second-best bowling average (15.4) in this tournament.

“Alongside Hardik, I firmly believe Jasprit Bumrah will also be in excellent form. He appears leaner and fitter, essential attributes for great players like him and all-rounders like Hardik in crucial tournaments,” Paranjape remarked.

“In my opinion, if India aims to perform well and win the World Cup, both Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah must be at their best,” he added, referring to his role as co-founder of KheloMore and a member of the BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee.

Though India enters the Super Eights as the only unbeaten team from Group A, they face other undefeated teams such as South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. “While many anticipate India to easily win the T20 World Cup, I believe the Super Eights will be quite competitive,” Paranjape noted.

“India is establishing a significant gap between themselves and their competitors going into the Super Eights. The first match is against South Africa, but regardless of the opponent, this Indian team appears remarkably strong, despite Abhishek Sharma struggling with three consecutive ducks,” he added.

While Abhishek has yet to score in the World Cup due to a stomach infection, leading to a low average of just 8.5 in opening partnerships, Shivam Dube has bolstered India’s batting depth with a more aggressive scoring tempo, evident from his match-winning fifty against the Netherlands earlier this week.

As of the end of the 2024 World Cup, Dube’s strike rate stood at 134 against both pace and spin. Following that tournament, where he was part of the victorious Indian team, his numbers have surged - 172 against pace and 183 against spin.

“Abhishek's struggles have been balanced by Shivam Dube, who impresses with his approach to the middle overs and exceptional six-hitting ability. He is in phenomenal form right now,” Paranjape praised.

“I believe Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Surya are all contributing effectively, with Jasprit Bumrah also performing exceptionally well, making a significant difference in the early overs, whether defending a total or bowling first,” Paranjape concluded.