'Priceless' Pandya proves white-ball worth ahead of World Cup in series win over England
Pandya, an explosive batter and a crafty seam bowler, underwent a lower back surgery in 2019 and has since often played purely as a batsman while India waited for him to resume bowling regularly.
The 28-year-old signalled he has regained full fitness on their tour of England, claiming 4-24 and smashing 71 in Sunday's series-clinching victory in the final one-dayer. He was also named player of the series.
He bowled at full tilt in the preceding T20 series in England too claiming 4-33 in Southampton to go with a half-century in that match.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has termed Pandya the most important man in the India team and he is not the only one who believes so.
"Hardik Pandya is fast becoming India's most important player in white-ball cricket," tweeted former India opener Aakash Chopra. "A fit Hardik is simply priceless..."
Pandya said it felt "special" to be able to contribute with both bat and ball.
"That has given me a lot of confidence, when I have been able to do that. It adds layers to my game," he said after Sunday's victory in Manchester.
With the T20 World Cup looming later this year in Australia, Pandya bowling at full throttle is music to the ears of the team management.
Pandya particularly impressed with his cunning use of short-pitched bowling to remove Ben Stokes and batter Liam Livingstone.
"I'm a control bowler. I don't have much skills to get the batter out opening him up, nipping the ball inside and all that," said Pandya.
"I try to outsmart a batter, I try to think one step ahead of the batter ... I bend my back or come out and bowl as quick as possible only when required."
Although Pandya is back to full fitness, it will be tested over the coming weeks. Having played a T20 and ODI series in England, India flew to the West Indies overnight. They will play three ODIs starting on Friday before five T20s.
That series ends on August 11 before the side travel to Zimbabwe for three more one-dayers. How many games Pandya will play is up to coach Rahul Dravid, but his fitness will be monitored closely as the World Cup looms into view.