Ahmedabad: Tara India All-rounder Hardik Pandya believes he has developed the ability to handle pressure and has no problem playing the role of the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the team.
The 29-year-old has always been known for his batting fireworks but says he has now learned to take a back seat and manage the innings, which master chaser Dhoni did towards the end of his international career.
The stand-in T20 captain said during the press conference after winning the T20 series against New Zealand 2-1, “To be honest, I have always enjoyed hitting sixes, but I have to develop and that’s it.” Life is.”
“I have to take the second part where I have always believed in partnership. I want to give more peace and reassurance to my team and the other person that at least I am there.
“I have played more games than any of them. So, I have learned more from experience and experience, this is where I have batted, and I have learned how to accept pressure and I have learned how to reduce pressure and ensure the team and Everything is calm,” Hardik said.
Dhoni is known for his calm demeanor and Hardik feels that it is now his responsibility to replace the legendary wicketkeeper as a batsman and he is ready to sacrifice his strike-rate to fulfill the role. Are ready.
“So, maybe I have to lower my strike rate or … take on new opportunities or take on new roles (is something I have always looked forward to). I don’t mind coming and playing the role that Mahi (Dhoni) used to play somewhere,” he said.
Hardik has scored 1271 runs in 87 T20 matches at a strike rate of 142.17.
“I think at the time, I was young, and I was hitting it around the park, but now that he’s gone, all of a sudden that responsibility…it’s come naturally to me, and I don’t have any Don’t mind (doing it). We are getting the result we want and it is fine.”
During the third T20I against New Zealand, Hardik allowed the in-form Shubman Gill (126) to attack the opposition as India scored 234 for 4 and then bowled out New Zealand for 168 for 66. win.
Hardik – New ball bowler
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With pacer Jasprit Bumrah injured, Hardik has backed himself to bowl more with the new ball, bowling 12 overs in the powerplay, conceding 86 for two this home season.
“I had to bowl with the new ball (in T20Is) because Arshdeep (Singh)… I don’t want someone new to come and have that tough role (bowling first with the new ball) because if they put him under pressure , then we are chasing the game,” Hardik said.
So, I have always been leading from the front and I am working on my new ball skills, which is helping me.”
He has taken 69 wickets in 87 T20Is at an average of 26.43.
“My focus now is on white-ball cricket”
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Hardik, who last played a Test in August, 2018, said his priority now is white-ball cricket with ODIs World The cup is to be held in India in October-November this year and the T20 World Cup is to be held in the Caribbean next year.
“I will (come back) when I feel (it) is the right time to play Test match cricket,” Hardik said.
“Right now, I am going to focus on white-ball cricket, which is important, and if the time is right and the body is fine, I will give (the longer format) a try.”
“Gill has the game to play across formats”
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Impressed by Gill’s rise as an all-format player, Hardik said, “I always felt he had the style and technique to play across formats and it didn’t come as a surprise to me.
He said, “Not many people can bat as smoothly as he can. It means a lot to him, playing all formats as a youngster adds a whole new dimension to the game.”
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