Yuvraj Singh believes Hardik Pandya is the x-factor for World Cup
Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh believes that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is the X-factor of the team for ICC Cricket World Cup.
“It’s important that Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli)...Either (one) of them has a good tournament. But I think the X-factor in this World Cup is going to be Hardik (Pandya),” said Singh in an interview with Hindustan Times.
This comes after India’s disappointing warm-up match 4 against New Zealand where they lost by six wickets. Pandya was successful in hitting six fours in his innings while team captain Kohli only made eight, and Rohit and Dhawan contributed only two runs each. Batsman KL Rahul only made four runs and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made six fours and two sixes.
Singh further explained that Pandya’s abilities in all three formats of the game will be an important factor to India bagging the World Cup trophy.
“He’s currently on form and batting well. And is someone who’s very helpful with the ball. In those conditions, if we play two fast bowlers and two spinners, you have Hardik as your third seamer. It gives the right balance to the team. (In) the last 10 overs, Hardik is going to be very important. But it’s up to him to adapt from Twenty20 to 50 overs. And it depends on how we use him,” Singh added.
India will start playing in the World Cup on June 5 against South Africa.
