Latest Cricket News: Rohit Sharma-led Indian team is all geared up to take on Sri Lanka in the high-profile final of the Asia Cup 2023 later today (Sunday). The Indian Team displayed stellar performance in the ongoing marquee Asian competition to make it into the grand finale. Registering as many as 3 victories, facing just 1 defeat – India, by all means, dominated the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup.

The only defeat that team India suffered occurred in their last fixture in the Super Four leg of the tournament. In the exact Super Four affair on Friday, Bangladesh handed over a 6-run loss to the Men In Blue in Colombo. Moreover, India had entered the clash against Bangladesh with a second-string lineup which made the defeat substantially less depleting for them.

Latest Cricket News: ‘Hardik Pandya Is A Match Winner’ Says Mohammad Kaif

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has hailed Hardik Pandya as the backbone of the current Indian team. Kaif applauded Pandya’s all-round contributions in the last two fixtures against Pakistan before calling him the MVP of the Indian setup. The 42-year-old further highlighted the all-rounder’s recent batting heroics which enabled India’s resurgence after a few top-order collapses.

“When India was in trouble against Pakistan, Hardik rose to the occasion and scored 87 runs, and built a vital partnership with Ishan. In the second meeting against Pakistan, he got the prized wicket of Babar Azam. So, he is a match-winner,” said Mohammad Kaif

“When the team is in trouble, Hardik bails his side out of the situation. When the top-order collapses, Hardik steps up and plays a match-winning knock. In my eyes, Hardik Pandya is the backbone of this Indian team,” Kaif additionally old to Star Sports

Being the vice-captain of the Indian white-ball team, Hardik Pandya, without a doubt, is a key member of the team. Pandya possesses the elite ability to bat at No. 6 while bowling some quality overs across all phases of the game. The Gujarat cricketer is further bound to play a substantial role in India’s potential success in the approaching home World Cup.