February 3, 2023
2 mins read

Don’t mind playing the ‘Dhoni role’: Hardik Pandya

Under Hardik, this was India’s second T20I series win of this year after defeating Sri Lanka at home last month and on Wednesday..reports Asian Lite News

After leading India to 2-1 series victory over New Zealand in the recent T20I series, captain Hardik Pandya revealed he doesnt mind taking the game deep and playing the role that M.S Dhoni did in the shortest format of the game.

“See, to be honest, I’ve always enjoyed hitting sixes, but I have to evolve and that is life. I have to take the other part where I’ve always believed in partnerships. I want to give my team and the other person more calmness and the assurance that at least I’m there.”

“I’ve played more games than any of those guys out there. So, I’ve known the experience and more than the experience part, it’s where I’ve batted, and I’ve learnt how to accept pressure and I’ve learnt how to kind of swallow the pressure and kind of make sure the team and everything are calm,” he said in the post-match press conference.

Under Hardik, this was India’s second T20I series win of this year after defeating Sri Lanka at home last month and on Wednesday, he was giving strike most of the time to Shubman Gill so that the youngster could do the bulk of hitting.

“In that way, maybe I have to get my strike rate down. Taking new opportunities or taking new roles is (something) I’ve always looked forward to. I don’t mind coming in and playing the role which somewhere down the line Mahi (Dhoni) used to play.”

“I think at that time, I was young, and I was hitting all around the park, but now since he has gone, all of a sudden that responsibility…It has just naturally come to me, and I don’t mind (doing it). We’re getting the result we want and it’s okay,” he added.

Hardik is also regularly bowling the tough overs for India in the Power-play since the start of 2023, including the time when he got some swing in the Indore ODI when Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj were rested, to take the pressure of doing the difficult task off Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik.

“I had to bowl with the new ball (in T20Is) because Arshdeep (Singh). I don’t want any new guy to come and have that difficult role of [bowling first up with the new ball] because if they’re put under pressure, then we’re chasing the game. So, I’ve always been (like) leading from the front and I’ve been working on my new-ball skills, which is helping me.”

With the 2023 ODI World Cup to be held in India in October-November and a T20 World Cup in the West Indies in 2024, Hardik signed off by saying white-ball cricket is his priority right now over playing the longer format.

“I will come (back) when I feel (it’s) the right time to play Test-match cricket. Right now, I’m going to focus on white-ball cricket, which is important, and if time is right and body is fine, I’ll give (the longer format) a try.”

ALSO READ: 10-year strategy to boost Dubai’s sports sector

Previous Story

‘New tax regime may affect insurance biz’

Next Story

‘Gill has got the style to play all formats’

Latest from Sport

Table Shake-Up Looms

Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim is in need of a convincing performance when Sunderland visit Old Trafford on Saturday,,,reports Asian Lite News The Premier League heads into a potentially decisive weekend that could

‘It’s Mind Over Technique’

Gill said the quick white-ball to red-ball switch was more mental than technical, adding he focused on defence and getting in the zone….reports Asian Lite News India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, who

Para Glory for India

Paul Fitzgerald, head of World Para Athletics, and IPC president Andrew Parsons praised India’s recent growth in sports, including para sports….reports Asian Lite News India’s Paralympic movement has made rapid, huge strides

India Clinches Asia Cup with Win over Pakistan

The crafty troika of Kuldeep, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy ran riot by sharing eight wickets as reckless aerial shots led to Pakistan’s dramatic slide….reports Asian Lite News Under immense pressure, left-handed

Monika Rules the Bids

Monika, who went unsold in last season’s auction, saw a remarkable turnaround in her fortunes as she became the costliest Indian player of the auction…reports Asian Lite News Indian midfielder Monika emerged
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Hardik Back Home

At Mumbai, Hardik will be re-united with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit

Hardik Pandya to lead India in Sri Lanka T20Is

Rohit, who injured his thumb on the Bangladesh tour, will