Former South African captain Graeme Smith to a a star India. Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith praised both Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik for their performances in the Proteas’ five-match T20I series.
The five-match Twenty20 International series between India and South Africa ended in a 2-2 tie after the series decider in Bengaluru was called off due to rain. Only 3.3 overs were available in the game, in which India posted 28/2 with Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad out. Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith highlighted the biggest positives for Team India a day after the series ended, and he was full of praise for Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya.
Smith also described Hardik as the “X-factor” all-rounder that India needs to balance the team. Hardik Pandya scored 117 runs in the series. With the ball in hand, however, he was unable to take a single wicket.
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Dinesh Karthik, on the other hand, returned with 92 runs, 55 of which came in the fourth T20I in Rajkot.
“There is still a lot of cricket to be played, so it’s difficult to predict what will happen in the next couple of months, but you’d think Hardik Pandya and DK are essential to that squad.” DK has previous experience with the finishing role. “Hardik has come a long way and is in command of his game,” Smith said on Cricket.com’s YouTube channel.
“Mentally, he appears to have settled. He knows how to do his job, and he is also the all-rounder X-Factor that India needs to balance the team with him and Jadeja in the squad, which opens up a lot of options.
Hardik will lead Team India in the upcoming two-match Twenty20 International series against Ireland, which begins on June 26. For the duration of the series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will serve as his deputy.
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