No Other Player Like Hardik Pandya in India — Bangar

December 9, 2025

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has once again underlined Hardik Pandya’s importance to Indian cricket, calling him a player “without a comparable replacement” in the national setup. Bangar stressed that India does not possess any other cricketer who offers the same combination of explosive batting, reliable seam bowling, and big-match temperament. His remarks come at a time when team India is working to regain balance and stability in its limited-overs squads, particularly with major tournaments around the corner. According to Bangar, Pandya stands out because his dual role isn’t just supplementary it is central to India’s overall team structure and strategy, making him irreplaceable.

🗣️ Sanjay Bangar: “There is no other player like Hardik Pandya in India.” #HardikPandya #sanjaybangar #INDvsSAhttps://t.co/tKeiyelgex

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Bangar explained that while India has several talented all-rounders, none of them replicate Pandya’s impact. His natural ball-striking ability, capability to bat in the top six, and his knack for breaking partnerships with disciplined seam bowling elevate him beyond the usual definition of an all-rounder. Bangar emphasized that Pandya offers two specialist skills in one slot, which directly improves India’s balance and gives selectors far greater flexibility than any other player currently in the system.

Pandya’s Versatility Makes India’s Team Combination Stronger

A major part of Bangar’s argument hinges on Pandya’s versatility. He stated that Pandya could hold his own in the national team as a pure batsman given his ability to finish games, rotate strike in the middle overs, and dominate high-pressure death overs. Few players in India’s white-ball circuit combine power-hitting with calculative game awareness the way Pandya does. This makes him an asset not just at No. 6 or 7, but even as a potential No. 5 when conditions or match situations demand flexibility.

On the other hand, Bangar pointed out that if Pandya were to be considered exclusively as a bowler, he could still feature among the top three seamers in India’s T20 setup. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and the middle overs, use the short ball cleverly, and extract bounce makes him valuable across formats. The presence of such a hybrid player allows India to field extra batting depth or add a specialist bowler without compromising the overall balance a luxury extremely rare in international cricket.

Bangar added that because India has a spin-rich bowling culture, having a multi skill cricketer like Pandya enables the team to play three frontline spinners while still maintaining seam support. He explained that this tactical freedom is a major advantage in subcontinent venues and even on neutral grounds where wrist-spin or finger-spin could play a decisive role. Without Pandya, the team often has to sacrifice either batting depth or bowling options, which affects match strategy.

Pandya’s Return From Injury Comes at a Critical Time

Pandya’s comeback to the team after a two-month absence due to a quadriceps injury couldn’t have come at a more important phase. India is preparing for a busy season, including a high-profile series against South Africa. Bangar noted that Pandya’s return gives India not just a stronger team but also renewed confidence in their core leadership group, given Pandya’s increasing role as a senior pro and decision-maker in the dressing room.

Before rejoining the national squad, Pandya showcased promising form in domestic cricket where he hit a blazing 77 off 42 balls, signaling that his timing, fitness, and rhythm were returning at the right moment. His bowling workload also appeared to be scaling up strongly, a factor that Bangar believes is crucial to assessing whether he can sustain his dual role across bilateral and global tournaments.

Bangar, however, advised caution. He suggested that although Pandya should play the opening games of the South Africa series to regain competitive rhythm, the team management must monitor his overs and recovery closely. Domestic tournaments, Bangar said, cannot replicate the intensity and pace of international matches, which means India must ensure Pandya is eased into full workloads rather than rushed prematurely.

 What Pandya’s Presence Means for India’s Team Selection

Pandya’s return is expected to influence India’s squad combinations significantly. Bangar believes his inclusion clarifies several selection questions, especially in the middle order. With Pandya back, India can adopt a more aggressive batting lineup, knowing they have a dependable finisher who can also contribute with the ball. This allows players like Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and even Shreyas Iyer to slot into roles where they can play with more freedom.

Additionally, Pandya’s ability to bowl crucial overs bolsters India’s pace attack. It also lets the team pick bowlers based on match-ups rather than compulsion. India can decide whether they want a third spinner, an extra pacer, or a batting all-rounder options that often become limited in Pandya’s absence. Bangar emphasized that India’s “dream team balance” is practically impossible without Pandya because no other current player provides the same blend of skills.

With major ICC tournaments approaching, Pandya’s role is expected to become even more central. His experience in pressure moments  from IPL playoffs to world tournaments makes him one of India’s go-to players. Bangar believes that if Pandya stays fit, he will not just be in the playing XI but also shape India’s fortunes in crucial knockout matches.

Conclusion: Pandya Remains India’s Most Valuable All-Rounder

Sanjay Bangar’s verdict is clear: Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable. His batting, bowling, leadership presence, and ability to change matches single-handedly make him a uniquely valuable asset. While India has enormous depth in batting and promising talent in bowling, no other player combines both departments at Pandya’s level. As India rebuilds and strengthens its white-ball squads, Pandya’s fitness and form will be one of their biggest competitive advantages and, as Bangar insists, one of the biggest reasons India can field one of the most balanced XIs in world cricket.