Yuvraj Singh, hero of India’s victorious campaign in the 2011 World Cup, is expecting “special performances” from all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the 2019 edition, beginning May 30 in the UK.
Pandya is back to hisbest, at least with the bat, following testing times which saw him serve aninterim suspension for making sexist comments on a popular chat show.
The 25-year-old has been in remarkable form this IPL and hisMumbai Indians teammate Yuvraj hopes that he extends his explosive run to the50-over mega event.
“I was actually having this conversation withhim (Hardik) yesterday where I told him that ‘you have a great chance ofperforming really well with the ball and bat’, the kind of form he is in at themoment.
“Definitely, the way he is batting at the moment, it isphenomenal and I hope he carries that form (into the World Cup). He has beenbowling well in patches but as I said it is all about how you handle thepressure,” said Yuvraj.
The veteran left handed batsman was speaking after launchinga marketing campaign for MoneyGram ahead of the ICC World Cup.
Pandya has been in theform of his life and Yuvraj said that his 91 against the Kolkata Knight Riderswas the best IPL innings he has seen.
“It is probably the bestshape as a batsman to get in. I have been watching since the practice games, hewas hitting the ball really well. I had told him ‘it is going to be a specialtournament for you, the way you are hitting the ball’,” said the southpaw.
“Over the years, as an experienced player you know if someoneis hitting the ball well, he is in great shape. He got 91 from 34 balls againstKKR, probably that is the best innings I have seen in the IPL just because hehit four quality bowlers he was batting against.
“When you are doingthat, you know that someone is batting very well,” added Yuvraj, who is knownfor hitting six sixes in the 2007 edition of WorldT20 in South Africa. PTI