Harbhajan Backs Pandya to Shine at T20 World Cup Despite IPL Struggles

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed empathy for Hardik Pandya, who has endured a challenging phase in his career. Pandya's forgettable IPL season as captain and player for Mumbai Indians, coupled with incessant fan jeering, has raised concerns about his form and mental state.

However, Harbhajan believes that Pandya will find redemption at the upcoming T20 World Cup. "When he wears that blue jersey, he will be a different Hardik Pandya," Harbhajan said. "He has gone through a lot, and I wish him all the best to have a very good tournament for India."

Harbhajan attributed Pandya's struggles to the pressure of captaincy, the team's poor performance, and the change in leadership from Rohit Sharma. He urged the team management to bring Pandya and Rohit on the same page and create a cohesive unit.

Regarding India's pace attack, Harbhajan expressed concern about the reliance on Jasprit Bumrah. "Bumrah is in a different league," he said. "He will win you games on any kind of pitch. But other bowlers like Arshdeep and Siraj would need help from conditions."

Harbhajan dismissed the significance of IPL form in the T20 World Cup. "This is what counts the most," he said. "If I was in their shoes, I would be looking for this opportunity to showcase that I have been better than what I have been doing."

Harbhajan praised Virat Kohli's improved T20 batting, noting his increased strike rate. He emphasized the importance of Kohli and Rohit scoring quickly in the Powerplay while respecting the conditions in the USA and West Indies.

Regarding the speculation about Gautam Gambhir becoming India's head coach, Harbhajan said, "The biggest thing a coach can do is to bring everyone together." He ruled out his own candidacy, citing family commitments.

Tags: #HarbhajanSingh, #HardikPandya, #T20WorldCup, #MumbaiIndians, #IPL