IND vs NZ 2022: Hardik Pandya is one of the most sought-after match winners – Kane Williamson

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has tipped Hardik Pandya as one of the most sought-after match-winners in the game. Pandya has been consistently delivering the goods for the team and he will lead the team against New Zealand in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who has been rested after the T20 World Cup.

Pandya played a fine knock of 63 runs off just 33 balls in the all-important semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval to help the team in posting 168 runs on the board but his efforts went in vain as India lost by 10 wickets.

Pandya had earlier led India against Ireland in the two-match T20I series. The all-rounder also led Gujarat Titans to glory in the IPL in their first-ever season and since then he has grown in confidence. In fact, former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth reckons Hardik Pandya should lead India in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Kane Williamson said in the pre-match press conference, “Hardik is obviously a superstar of the game and I have played a lot against him. He is one of the most sought-after match-winners, given the fact that he is an all-rounder. He has also had a lot of success in the IPL. In terms of leadership for India, they have a lot of experience and the guidance of the likes of Rohit and Virat will be very helpful for them.”

On the other hand, players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma have been rested for the New Zealand tour but Kane Williamson feels it is still a formidable Indian team as they have a lot of depth in their squad.

“I know all the players that are involved and I think India is a side that has an incredible amount of depth and we have seen that in international cricket. There are some new faces, but a lot of them if not all of them have played international cricket. The talent and skill in this side is clear for everybody to see and we know that they are a formidable side.”

The first T20I between India and New Zealand will take place in Wellington on Friday.