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Despite enduring a challenging stint as captain and struggling with the bat for Mumbai Indians (MI) during the IPL 2024 season, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has thrown his weight behind his former teammate, Hardik Pandya. Singh confidently predicts that Pandya will rise to the occasion and deliver something exceptional during the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 set to take place in the West Indies and USA. Pandya's leadership tenure for Mumbai Indians was marred by difficulties, with the five-time champions languishing at the bottom of the points table, clinching victory in just four out of their 14 games. The all-rounder's personal performance mirrored the team's struggles, as he tallied a mere 216 runs at an average of 18.00 and could only muster 11 wickets throughout the campaign.
Nevertheless, Yuvraj Singh staunchly advocates against solely assessing Pandya's capabilities based on his IPL showing. Emphasizing the broader context and the unique demands of international cricket, Yuvraj believes Pandya possesses the resilience and skill set to shine on the global stage. Despite the setbacks faced in the IPL, Yuvraj remains steadfast in his belief that Pandya's potential impact in the upcoming T20 World Cup could be transformative for the Indian team.
“Well, the good thing is that the selection has been made. (Selectors see) how players have performed in international cricket and then they look at IPL form. Just not the IPL form,” former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh said to ICC.
“Because if you look at the IPL form, Hardik’s not done well. Looking at his background for India, what he’s done for India, it is important that he’s in the squad," he added.
Yuvraj Singh underscored the pivotal role of Hardik Pandya's bowling prowess and fitness regimen in the forthcoming T20 World Cup, emphasizing their significance for the success of the Men in Blue in the prestigious tournament. Recognizing Pandya's multidimensional contributions, Yuvraj stressed that his ability to both wield the bat and deliver crucial overs with the ball could be instrumental in India's campaign on the grand stage. Furthermore, the former cricketer shed light on Shivam Dube's potential impact in the upcoming tournament. Dube, who showcased his talents while representing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), predominantly featured as a batsman during his stint. Impressively, he caught the eye of many with his remarkable ability to launch towering sixes and effectively close out games for his side.
In his assessment, Yuvraj Singh hinted at Dube's capacity to provide India with the much-needed firepower in the middle order, bolstering the team's batting lineup. The left-handed batsman's penchant for clearing the ropes and his knack for finishing matches could offer the Indian team valuable depth and dynamism, potentially turning the tide in crucial encounters during the T20 World Cup. As the tournament draws nearer, Yuvraj's insights shed light on the strategic considerations and key players that could shape India's quest for glory in the upcoming global spectacle.