Hardik Pandya is a four-dimensional player now: Kiran More

Hardik Pandya was named “Man of the Match” in the IPL 2022 Final for his all-around performance in the field. Pandya led his side to glory in an impressive campaign with the bat. Not many gave them a chance of making it to the playoffs after the mega auction, let alone going all the way in this year’s competition. Following the triumph in his maiden IPL stint as captain, former Indian cricketer Kiran More has lavished praise on Hardik’s fabulous performance in the IPL 2022.

The all-rounder did not have the best of times in the last few months. He was carrying injuries that limited his bowling time and was also dropped from the national side. But this season, we saw a different Pandya, as he promoted himself up the batting order and played responsible knocks for his side at crucial junctures of their campaign. The hard-hitting batter amassed 487 runs this season with four half-centuries to his name.

Hardik’s brilliant outing in this year’s tournament as a leader and an all-rounder has made him an invaluable asset for the Indian team. Kiran More believes that he is a four-dimensional player now with his added leadership qualities.

“For me, Hardik was a young kid, who wanted to perform all the time. I now believe he is a four-dimensional player now. Earlier he was a three-dimensional player because he is a bowler, batter, and a fielder but now he is captain as well. So you feel proud that you have such a talented cricketer on the national side,” said More while speaking to SG Podcast.

I saw the hunger in Hardik’s eyes to play the sport- Kiran More

The former Indian cricketer also recalled an incident from Pandya’s younger days, when he used to accompany his older brother, Krunal Pandya to his coaching academy. “He wanted to play the sport. Krunal Pandya (his elder brother) had joined my academy and Hardik used to hang around. He used to keep running behind the nets and catching the ball. That is when I told Krunal to bring him to nets as well and that’s when I saw the hunger in his eyes,” added More.