All-rounder Hardik Pandya opened up about his new leadership place within the Indian team. The 28-year-old was appointed the skipper for India’s tour of Ireland comprising 2-T20Is.
Hardik Pandya was believed a heavy favorite to lead the side following his victory with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (TATA IPL) 2022. He will be leading a 17-man possible for the series beginning on June 26. Experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will act as Pandya’s deputy.
Claiming that nobody would have predicted him being the India skipper several months back, Pandya said this in an interview with Star Sports ahead of the 4rth T20I in Rajkot:
“Obviously, I kind of knew that at the start of the series that I will be leading the side after this series. It’s always an honor to lead your country and who would have thought seven months back, you know life can change a lot if you put the right mind and if you keep working hard.”
The new captain will lead a group of 2nd-string players, most of whom are performing in the current home series against South Africa.
🚨 NEWS 🚨: India’s squad for T20I series against Ireland announced.#TeamIndia
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2022
Due to strong injury issues, Hardik Pandya mainly donned the role of a clean batter across both franchise and international cricket. He ultimately found himself out of the team after a disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE.
After experiencing intense rehabilitation in 2022, Pandya tasted achiever in the IPL and earned a recall to the senior team. Returning to the national fold as an all-rounder cricketer, Pandya said:
“It’s important whenever my team requires, I will always be there to bowl a couple of overs. In the last game I did not bowl because I think our bowlers were fantastic, so my services were not needed. We play with six bowlers and it is always important in T20 cricket that you have a sixth bowling option.”
In the initial 2-T20Is against the Proteas, the all-rounder was positioned as the 6th bowling option.
“I’ve done it for so many years now, and it comes obviously to me” – Hardik Pandya on performing the role of the finisher
While leading in the IPL, Hardik Pandya performed in the middle order at 4th for the Gujarat Titans (GT). With 487 runs in the campaign, he was the 2nd-highest run-maker among Indians in the match. Although, he finds himself back in the finisher’s role for the national team.
Talking about the switch back to down the order, the all-rounder added:
“I have always enjoyed that role. Where I bat and what I do, you really have to love what you are doing, you really need to enjoy the situation. For me, I enjoy the challenge that comes with it because it is not easy to go out there and swing from ball one. I’ve done it for so many years now and it comes naturally to me.”
🚨 Toss Update 🚨
South Africa have elected to bowl against #TeamIndia.
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/9Mx4DQmACq #INDvSA | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/2gR3HYGQiG
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 17, 2022
Although losing the toss for the 4th straight contest, Team India has been put into bat by South Africa in the current series. When writing, the Men In Blue are established at 39/2 after 5-overs.
Also, read- I can’t care about pace cause I can’t bowl as fast as Umran Malik – Harshal Patel on his bowling type.