Hardik Pandya will replicate his magical form in World Cup as well, says his coach Jitendra Singh

An all-rounder is always an asset to the side, but an impactful one is no less than a boon. Hardik Pandya's current form suggests that he belongs to such rare breed. His coach Jitendra Singh has said that Pandya will maintain his good rhythm in the upcoming World Cup. Singh also quipped that the 26-year-old has transitioned from a boy to man. 

"In very short words I will say that he (Hardik) has now matured from a boy to a man." Jitendra said, reported PTI.

Pandya, who started his international career in 2016, has been outstanding so far. His batting average of 39.63 and economy of 5.54 in ODIs corroborate the belief. He has been unstoppable in the ongoing Indian Premier League and has also been named in the 15-man Indian World Cup squad. Speaking about his presence in the World Cup squad, Singh asserted that Pandya will be very helpful to the team in the mega event (ICC World Cup 2019) that is to be started in England and Wales from May 30.

"Definitely he will carry this form and rhythm in (into) the World Cup, there is no doubt about that and that is going to help the team," Singh added.

"You will not believe the day he was back from Australia, I gave him a call in the night and told him that positively from tomorrow or day after we will start doing things (training). No one knew, but we slowly, gradually started preparing for many things,"he added.

Pandya and Rahul were suspended by the BCCI and sent back home from Australia tour due to their sexist comments on women in the show ‘Koffee with Karan’. The suspension was revoked by BCCI later, but the duo did face a tough time. The coach on addressing that issue said that ups and downs are a part of life and one should focus on moving on. 

"In life things do happen, but we have to become a better person, better player. What has happened we can't change, but looking forward we need to change ourselves in many aspects. He took everything positively and that's what I am saying he has become a man" the coach opined.

Hardik's elder brother Krunal Pandya has also been training under the watchful eyes of Jitendra Singh at Vadodara.