Australian legend Glenn McGrath has called Hardik Pandya “a quality all-rounder, quality hitter” who doesn't need to be told about his role in the Indian cricket team because he has transformed himself into a responsible cricketer. Glenn McGrath, who is currently the Director of Coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, also stated that Hardik Pandya's experience will keep him in good stead and he will continue to bounce back from adversity. On Wednesday, Hardik Pandya was appointed India captain for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland as top national names would be involved in the fifth Test match against England at the time and won't be available for the games in Dublin. Hardik Pandya made his Team India comeback in the ongoing series against South Africa after having played for the Men in Blue back in November 2021. Before making his India return, Hardik Pandya had wowed fans from around the world with his leadership skills in the Indian Premier League as he guided the debutants Gujarat Titans to their maiden title in the competition. The Baroda all-rounder was highly impressive with bat and ball too, ending the cash-rich league as his side's top-scorer with 487 runs besides contributing with 8 wickets in the other department. However, he has failed to light up the first three matches of the T20I series against the Proteas, looking out of rhythm, especially in the last game. But Glenn McGrath has backed him to find his touch soon as he knows what needs to be done to perform at the highest level.

“Hardik has got so much experience now. He knows what he needs to do. He doesn't need to be told by coaches what he needs to do. He is a quality all-rounder, quality hitter,” the former Australian pacer told reporters in Chennai.

“Some games go well, others don't as well. Overall, he knows what he needs to do,” Glenn McGrath added.

Earlier, Hardik Pandya himself had spoken about his happiness in making a return to the Indian set-up.

“I was happy,” Hardik told BCCI.tv. “It was more about the battles I won against my own self and a lot of other things as well. Winning the IPL, or even qualifying [for the playoffs] was a big deal for me because a lot of people doubted us,” he said. “A lot of people frowned at us before we started. A lot of people raised a lot of questions. A lot of things were said about me even before I made a comeback.”

“But it was never about giving them answers. I'm just proud of the process I followed. No one knows what I went through the six months that I was off. I've gotten up at 5 in morning to make sure I train. I slept at 9:30 in the night for four months, so [there was] a lot of sacrifice,” Hardik Pandya revealed.

“It was the battle I fought before the IPL. I have always worked hard in my life, and it has always given me the result I wanted,” the 28-year-old cricketer stated.

While Hardik Pandya is proud of his success in the IPL, his goal for this year is to win the World Cup for India.

“Every series or every game you play is as important as your last,” Hardik said. “So, for me, World Cup is the goal, this is the right platform to get into the rhythm and a lot of cricket is going to come back-to-back. Always being in the rhythm is very important.”

“My role will be changed here, I won't be captain, I won't be batting higher up the order and guiding through the innings. This will be back to being the Hardik for which I am known.”

Hardik Pandya will be back in action on Friday when the Indian cricket team will square-off against South Africa in the fourth match of the T20I series in his home state of Gujarat. The encounter will take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

Rishabh Pant and his boys would look to win the fourth match in Saurashtra to level the series at 2-2 after having convincingly won the previous game in Visakhapatnam. The Indians now have the momentum after their spinners finally found the right spots to bowl at the Proteas batters and both Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal would be key to India's fortunes in Rajkot.

India squad: Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.

South Africa squad: South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen.