MI and RCB combined all-time IPL XI

6. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been one of the many revelations to enter the frame of world cricket through IPL as a medium.  From the Indian cricket team’s perspective, the national side found a deadly yet organised batsman who also lands them at 135 odd clicks or more on a consistent basis, after the legendary Kapil Dev.

Despite the bright, blinding lights that have always been projected on his attributes, Pandya has only stuck to his strengths and grown to become one of the most feared all-rounders in the game. He is as destructive with the bat as it gets, as portrayed in the 91 he smashed off a mere 34 deliveries against KKR, almost snatching a victory from under the opposition’s nose. He has scored 1,068 runs in total, striking them at a massive 154.78. To go with this are his 42 wickets, again displaying his knack of finding breakthroughs courtesy of a strike rate of 20.69.

Pandya is a master in breaking partnerships, but that’s not all. He’s not just someone who bowls quick pace or sharp bouncers, the all-rounder mixes them up well, changes proceedings with his golden arm and is a fine back-up to have at the death. He almost adds a different dimension to the bowling line-up, which in turn becomes more flexible. The younger Pandya brother certainly bolsters dynamism and flamboyance to any XI he is a part of.