5 Indian cricketers who can form a good finishing pair with Hardik Pandya in T20Is

Team India is considered as one of the dominating sides across all the formats of the game. The cut-throat competition in the current team has even made great players wait for their chance in the playing XI. Talking about the T20I format of the game, Hardik Pandya is in red hot form for his team. The way he has pulled off chases for men in blue in recent times is awe-inspiring, and it is becoming his regular feature now.

As T20 World Cup is scheduled in 2021, all the cricketing nations around the world would be putting their best foot forward to grab the limelight. In the same reference, India would need some of the best finishers to turn tables for them. As Hardik is already at his utter best, if a player pairs up with him perfectly, it will be a cherry on the cake. Keeping in mind the coming up T20 World Cup, let’s take a look at-

Here are 5 players who can pair up with Hardik Pandya as great finishers:

1. Ravindra Jadeja

The way Jadeja has leveled up his batting in recent times is beyond incredible. He has played match-winning knock for the struggling Indian side on numerous occasions. His capacities with the ball and epic display on the field are added benefits that come with Jadeja over his batting class.

In the T20I series against Australia, Jadeja flaunted his class yet again in the opening T20I. He has turned up to be one of the most preferred options in the national side while counting the team for limited overs squad. In the recent turn of events, though CSK struggled to make a mark in IPL 2020, Jadeja was at his very with the bat.

Talking of the squad that would play for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2021, Jadeja can be considered as one of the best finishers, along with Hardik Pandya for India. The right and left-hand combination of the duo will have the capacities to pull out the team from the crunch spot.

2. Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey’s spot has just not been able to get fixed with team India. Due to the team’s combination and balance, his name had to be sacrificed on numerous occasions. It is even said sometimes that Pandey is born in the wrong era as he has not been able to get enough chances as per his talent.

He became the first Indian player in IPL to smash a century in 2009 IPL. His capacities in the T20 format of the game are seen in high regard, and he is currently an integral part of the SRH squad. Pandey has featured in 26 ODIs and 37 T20Is for India, averaging 35.14 and 47.13, respectively.

If he is given proper chances in the upcoming T20 squad for World Cup, he can turn up as a great option alongside Pandya to fetch significant things for India. The combination of his steady batting and Pandya’s explosive hits can be a great finishing pair for the men in blue.

3. Shreyas Iyer

Iyer already became the talk of the town when he became the youngest captain who was plying his trade in IPL 2020. The feather in the cap came when Iyer led Delhi Capitals went on to mark its maiden presence in the IPL finale. Also, his terrific half-century came on an important day but had hard luck as they failed to lift the trophy.

His captaincy, along with his batting tactics, has gathered too much attention in the recent few years. The three-down spot for team India seems fixed after quite a struggle, and the Iyer has been handling responsibility well. His batting class and techniques can pair up well with Pandya to form a great finishing combo.

He already has enough international exposure in his bag that he can pair well with Pandya. He has donned the Indian jersey in 18 Tests and 22 ODIs so far and averages over 50 in both cases. His stats are a testament to his consistency and brilliance, and he would be expected to continue the same.

4. Sanju Samson

Samson has shown some great form in the shortest format of the game in recent years. Though he has played only six T20Is with India, his performance in IPL has been commendable. While Rahul Dravid was mentoring Rajasthan in IPL seventh season, he spoke highly of Samson.

His wicket-keeping skills are an added benefit to his batting class. It has been seen that Samson kicks off his IPL career with breathtaking knocks but turns to slow down as the tournament progresses. It happened the same way, this year too. However, he remained an integral middle-order batsman for his franchise.

He is yet to have a magical IPL season and yet to perform great for the Men in Blue. If he continues his batting class and classic shots, he can be deemed as one of the greatest finishers along with run-machine Hardik Pandya. The combination would go very well for India.

5. Ishan Kishan

The 22-year-old batsman was just thunderous while plying his trade for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020. His effortless sixes and explosive hits became the thing to watch out for in every Mumbai Indians’ match. He is being seen as one of the next big things in Indian cricket.

It is the slightest possibility that he can get a chance with team India for his T20 debut in the coming up big event. Seeing his epic potential along with wicket-keeping skills, he can be considered as one of the names on the list. Being in Mumbai Indians, he has enough experience of balancing it out with Hardik and taking the team over the line.

If the same thing happens for men in blue, it might come as a surprise package. He has been the one in match-winning capacity for Indians on several occasions. He might replicate his heroics at the mega level too, and would form one of the greatest finishing pair with Pandya.