Hardik Pandya achieved yet another career milestone on Wednesday. He became the world’s new No. 1 T20I all-rounder after India won the T20 World Cup.
Hardik, who ended the tournament with 144 runs and 11 wickets, was also crowned as the first Indian all-rounder to reach the pinnacle. Doing so only days after, Hardik Pandya played an important part in the final against South Africa on Saturday, finishing with 3/20.
Hardik Pandya’s Memorable Twenty20 Campaign
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Hardik, who took the wickets of David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. He vaulted two spots and pushed Wanindu Hasaranga to second. This concludes a spectacular season for Hardik, whose last World Cup appearance in 2023 was cut short due to an injury.
Hardik Pandya was on a tear before the T20 World Cup began. He had a difficult time as captain of the Mumbai Indians, as the team failed to enter the playoffs. He was also the target of intense public hatred, being booed by the MI crowd.
However, things changed when he returned to India colors under Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy. In the final, he had Klaasen caught behind after the South African batsman had hit a half-century and bludgeoned Axar Patel for a 22-run over to reduce the equation to 30 off 30.
With Rohit and India bowling out Bumrah, it was up to Hardik to keep alive the game for India, which he achieved. Hardik defended 16 off the last over, getting Miller out with the first ball courtesy of a superb catch by Suryakumar Yadav and keeping his composure to finish the over without harm.
Hardik collapsed on the ground after India won the match, unable to hold back his tears. Hardik not only contributed to the final but also provided key performances throughout the competition.
Hardik Pandya took 2/24 against Pakistan, dismissing Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan. Then, 2/14 against the United States, in which India was completely rocked. Hardik produced an unbeaten half-century against Bangladesh, as well as scores of 23 not out and 23 against Australia and England.
Besides Hardik Pandya Bumrah, Kuldeep Also Rises
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Among bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, who was voted Player of the Tournament for his 15 wickets, climbed 12 places to 11th, his highest ranking since late 2020. To be honest, Hardik Pandya deserves it more than anyone else. The India pace spearhead has been unplayable throughout the T20 World Cup and has carried that form into the final.
Bumrah began with a superb 3/14 against Pakistan and, aside from a wicketless game against the United States, continued to probe the hitters with his sharp line, length, and speed.
In the final, he cleaned up Reeza Hendricks and smashed Marco Jansen’s stumps, swinging the tide in India’s favor. Kuldeep Yadav, with 10 wickets, has also made progress and is rated joint-eighth. Arshdeep Singh, another Indian hero in the final, advanced to 13th place.
Kuldeep was India’s finest spinner on the program after debuting in the West Indies leg. He scored 2/24 against Australia, eliminating on-song captain Mitchell Marsh, and then 3/19 against England in the semi-finals.
The Significance of Hardik Pandya’s Achievement
The recent ICC rankings revisions highlight the dynamic character of T20 cricket, in which individual brilliance and collective team success combine to form the sport’s narrative.
Hardik Pandya’s incredible performance as the top-ranked all-rounder not only recognizes his outstanding talent but also highlights India’s developing supremacy in the shortest format of the game.
Looking ahead, these rankings demonstrate the continued excitement and international appeal of T20I cricket on a worldwide scale.
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