From Dubai, just a week before India’s crucial clash with Pakistan, Hardik Pandya was already making headlines, pulling off spectacular catches during practice with Team India’s fielding coach, T Dilip, at the ICC Cricket Academy.
During one session, the Indian all-rounder narrowly missed a diving effort, prompting a quick, witty remark: “If I’m having to dive, it means I’m not moving or anticipating the ball quickly enough.”
He ended his training session with a breathtaking running catch, earning a warm embrace from coach T Dilip.
Days later, in Abu Dhabi, that practice paid off spectacularly. Coach Dilip found himself celebrating another of Pandya’s incredible running catches, this time to dismiss Oman’s Aamir Kaleem. Kaleem had deftly flicked the ball towards fine leg, but Pandya, patrolling the boundary, reacted with astonishing speed. He lunged, extended his hands, and plucked a blinder out of the air, maintaining perfect balance mere inches from the ropes.
This pivotal catch not only halted Oman’s momentum but also spared India from potential embarrassment.
The legendary former Pakistan speedster, Shoaib Akhtar, once drew a comparison between Pandya and Faheem Ashraf, stating, “They bowl at a similar pace. However, the crucial difference lies in their attitude. Hardik confronts challenges head-on, while Faheem appears hesitant.”
While Akhtar’s observation about Hardik’s aggressive demeanor holds some truth, athletically, Faheem Ashraf doesn’t quite measure up to the Indian all-rounder. Unlike Pandya, Ashraf lacks the consistent ability to single-handedly influence matches across all three facets of the game: batting, bowling, and fielding.
Hardik was an indispensable asset in Virat Kohli’s squad, excelling in every format. His presence on the team even led to the popular coinage of “Kulcha” for the formidable wrist-spin pair of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Unfortunately, a severe injury threatened Pandya’s career and inadvertently disrupted this potent bowling partnership, as his absence meant only one of the spinners could be accommodated in the playing eleven.
In Test cricket, he offered India the invaluable luxury of a fourth seam option. It’s truly regrettable that a player of Pandya’s immense talent has been limited to just 11 Test matches, with his last appearance dating back to 2018. India acutely felt his absence in both World Test Championship (WTC) finals, as he provides the critical balance the team desperately needs, especially in challenging overseas conditions.
Soham Desai, former strength and conditioning coach for India, who has worked closely with Pandya, shed light on the rigorous demands placed upon him.
Desai remarked, “Hardik possesses exceptional natural athleticism, truly a gifted athlete. He consistently sets incredibly high standards. It’s rare to find someone who ranks among the top three in sprint speed, explosiveness, and endurance – he’s truly one of a kind.”
He further elaborated, “Naturally, as athletes age, their bodies tend to slow down. However, through sheer dedication, hard work, and unwavering professionalism, Hardik has managed to maintain his elite physical benchmarks. His bowling workload is comparable to top pacers like Siraj, Bumrah, or Shami. In terms of batting preparation, it matches 60-70% of Virat Kohli’s regimen, excluding match intensity. Just imagine the immense physical toll required to prepare for a series or a major tournament.”
Desai emphasized, “This is precisely why we must approach such unique cases with tailored management strategies.”
Revisiting Pandya’s spectacular catch, one wonders: could Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf have managed such a feat? Or is it, as Akhtar speculated, purely a matter of attitude?
Team India’s fielding coach, T Dilip, perfectly encapsulated Hardik’s brilliance: “Preparation is paramount, and everyone witnessed that. We had meticulously worked on high catches and boundary-line efforts. However, the most critical element was Hardik’s instantaneous reaction in that moment. It’s incredibly challenging, particularly against a sweep shot where the ball is traveling at pace. His flawless catching technique, impeccable balance near the ropes, and keen awareness were simply magnificent. It was a skill we had drilled, and today, he executed it flawlessly under immense pressure.”
Dilip also subtly addressed Pandya’s critical workload management, explaining, “When it comes to workload, the key is our constant communication between myself, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and Adrian, our trainer. We ensure that if one of us is pushing Hardik, another steps back, and vice versa. During extended training camps, our focus is on building volume, but as tournaments approach, we shift to precise, high-intensity drills. Hardik’s consistent ability over time has been truly exceptional; it’s all about fine-tuning those small, crucial details.”
Hardik may not have reached the legendary heights of Kapil Dev, as many once predicted, but despite his injury struggles and limited match appearances, he remains India’s most invaluable asset. The team management’s meticulous care for him isn’t without reason — they understand his irreplaceable value. This sentiment is echoed by former Pakistani cricketers and pundits, who frequently discuss Hardik more than even other Indian stars like Bumrah, Kuldeep, or Suryakumar Yadav on their broadcasts.
Indeed, in the contemporary cricket landscape, Hardik Pandya stands as the Indian cricketer most both feared and admired by Pakistan.