Pandya becomes first Indian to occupy top spot in ICC T20I all-rounders’ rankings

DUBAI, July 3: Hardik Pandya rose two places to become the first Indian to occupy the number one spot in the ICC’s T20I all-rounders’ rankings on Wednesday, as the country’s cricketers improved their standings following their title-winning performance in the just-concluded World Cup.
The 30-year-old, who handed telling blows to South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on July 29 by dismissing half-centurion Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in his 3/20 effort, climbed up two places to go level with Sri Lankan star Wanindu Hasaranga as the top-ranked men’s T20I all-rounder.
Following a topsy-turvy IPL where he was the target of fans’ boos as Mumbai Indians’ new captain, Pandya turned it around in style in the T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean.
Pandya made impactful cameos down the order with the bat and made breakthroughs with the ball when the team needed him to. He finished with 144 runs at a batting strike-rate of over 150 and also took 11 wickets in the tournament. (PTI)