Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has identified Hardik Pandya as the most impactful all-rounder in world T20 cricket as India gear up for the 2026 T20 World Cup. With the expanded 20-team tournament set to begin shortly, Clarke believes India's title defence will heavily depend on the influence of their senior all-rounder.
Hardik's importance to the Indian setup was underlined by his standout performances during India's victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. The all-rounder enjoyed a prolific tournament with the bat, scoring consistently at a brisk strike rate, while also delivering crucial breakthroughs with the ball. His decisive spell in the final against South Africa, where he claimed three wickets in the closing overs, proved instrumental in sealing a narrow seven-run victory for India.
Clarke heaped praise on Hardik Pandya, saying:
