Graeme Smith backs Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya

The resurgence of Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik were among the major talking points from IPL 2022. Both players were recalled to the Indian T20 team on the back of their fantastic performances in the IPL, and they have justified their selections with some really impactful innings in the recently concluded home series against South Africa. 

Former South African captain Graeme Smith believes that both Hardik and Karthik are vital cogs in the Indian team, and they must make it to India's squad for the upcoming T20 world cup in Australia. Addressing Cricket.com, Smith said that although it's pretty early to comment on India's possible World Cup squad, one can consider Hardik and Karthik as two certainties for the 15-men probable list because of their mastery in the shortest format of the game. 

"Still a lot of cricket to be played, so it is difficult to predict what is going to happen in the next couple of months, but you are going to think Hardik and DK are integral to that squad," Smith said. 

Elaborating on the matter, Smith has stressed that while Karthik has nailed down his role of a finisher to perfection, Hardik seems to be in a fine physical and mental state at the moment. Further, labelling Hardik as an X-factor, Smith opined that the swashbuckling all-rounder's inclusion would enable India to field six bowling options, thereby making the squad a perfectly balanced one.

"DK is experienced with that finishing role that he has played. Hardik has grown leaps and bounds and is in control of his game. Mentally he looks like he has settled. And he is also that all-rounder X-Factor that India requires to just balance the team with him and Jadeja in the squad, which opens up a lot of options. So I can't see those two not making it to the World Cup squad," the 41-year-old concluded. 

In the fourth T20I of the five-match series against South Africa, Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik stitched together a magnificent fifth-wicket partnership of 65 runs off just 33 balls, which helped India seal a much-needed victory and avoid series defeat.