India's chances in the T20 World Cup will get doubled if Hardik Pandya is fit: Saba Karim

Hardik Pandya is a vital cog of the Indian cricket team, especially in limited-overs cricket. And, with the all-important T20 World Cup slated to be played later this year, Pandya’s form becomes extremely important for India’s chances of lifting the World Cup trophy.

Saba Karim feels that India’s tour of Sri Lanka will be a challenging one for Pandya, as the tracks in Sri Lanka will be slow. Karim further added that it will be interesting to see if Pandya can score runs at a good strike rate in challenging conditions.

Karim also said that India’s chances of lifting the 2021 T20 World Cup will get doubled if Hardik Pandya is fully fit, and can bowl and bat in the mega event.

“The Sri Lanka tour will be challenging for Hardik Pandya as a batsman because he was struggling on the slow Chennai pitches during the IPL. He will get similar wickets in Sri Lanka, so whether he can score runs at a good strike rate in such challenging conditions in white-ball cricket.

The biggest thing is that India’s chances in the T20 World Cup will get doubled if Hardik Pandya is fit. If he can both bowl and bat throughout the tournament, I feel India’s chances are extremely bright,” said Karim as quoted by TimesNow.

Saba Karim also shares his opinion on Hardik Pandya’s workload

Saba Karim also added that whether Pandya will also bowl will depend on how the Indian team management treats him and how the all-rounder’s workload is managed ahead of the World Cup.

“It is dependent on the Indian team management, both the one in England and the one in Sri Lanka currently, on how he is treated from here till the World Cup, how his workload is managed as he will regain his strength slowly,” concluded Karim.

The limited-overs series between India and Sri Lanka will begin on 18th July 2021, with the first ODI being played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. After the three-match ODI series, Sri Lanka and India will lock horns in a three-match T20I series as well.