The 29-year-old all-rounder is known for his ferocious batting but the player, who recently led the team in the T20 International series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, said he has learned how to handle innings.
India star 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 all-rounder is known for his ferocious hitting but the player, who recently led the team in the T20 International series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, said he has learned how to handle innings. Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni used to fill that role in the later stages of his international career.
The Indian captain, who won the series 2-1 with a 168-run win in the third T20 International against New Zealand, said: “I have to take responsibility in a different way.” Where I always believe in partnership. I want to give more confidence and security to my team and others that at least I am there,” he said, “I have played more cricket than other players in this team (T20 International). In such a situation, I have learned from experience to handle the pressure and make sure that the atmosphere in the team remains calm in every situation.
Dhoni is known for his calm demeanor and Hardik believes it is now his responsibility to replace the legendary wicketkeeper as batsman. He is willing to lower his strike rate to play this role. Hardik said: “Then maybe I have to lower my hit rate or take on a new challenge. This is something I see happen. I have no objection to playing the kind of role that Mahi bhai (Dhoni) used to do.
Hardik has scored 1271 runs in 87 T20 matches at a strike rate of 142.17. Hardik said: “I like to hit sixes to be honest, but as a player you have to keep improving. I have to play some other role and I believe in partnerships while hitting. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 126 not out helped India edge New Zealand by 66 to post their biggest win of 168 runs in the third T20 International.
Hardik led the fast bowling attack with four wickets. When asked after starting bowling with the new ball, he said: “I will have to bowl the new ball in T20 International because the other players on this team are new and I don’t want to give them a difficult role.” If more runs are scored on them then they may be under pressure. I want to lead the team by taking responsibility myself.
Hardik said that for the time being, his full focus is on limited-overs cricket in view of the upcoming ODI and T20 International World Cup. He played the last Test for him in 2018 against Australia. He underwent surgery in 2019 and has since been out of the team for the game’s longest format. Pandya said, “I will come back when I feel the time is right to play Test cricket. At the moment, I am focusing on cue ball cricket, which is important.
Disclaimer:Prabhasakshi has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.