Hardik Pandya wants to see more Indian batters chipping in with the ball.
Team India’s stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya was in awe of his boys’ performance in the 2nd T20I against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, earlier in the day, as the visitors bulldozed the hosts by 65 runs, after posting a mammoth total of 191 runs. Speaking of the performance following the victory, Pandya admitted that not every time the batters will be able to execute plans with the ball, but he wants more batting all-rounders in the team to have multiple bowling options.
Deepak Hooda, who is also a fine hitter of the ball in the death overs, scalped four wickets to help India clinch a comprehensive victory against New Zealand by 65 runs. Besides Hooda’s sharp bowing spell, Suryakumar Yadav struck an imperious century in just 49 deliveries. SKY remained unbeaten at a score of 111 runs in 51 deliveries.
“Can’t get any better than this. Everyone chipped in but it was surely a special innings by Surya. We would have taken a score of 170-175,” Hardik Pandya said during the post-match presentation.
“Bowlers did well and it was about being aggressive in the mindset. It doesn’t mean taking a wicket every ball, but being aggressive with the ball is important.”
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“The conditions were very wet, so credit to the bowlers. I have bowled a lot, going forward I want to see more bowling options. Not always that this will work but I want more batters to chip in with the ball,” he added.
Notably, after team India was knocked out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, a couple of experts pointed out that the lack of bowling options in the team blew India’s hopes of lifting the World Cup trophy.
Hardik Pandya further mentioned that his role as the leader is to create a healthy environment in the team.
“I expect them to be professional, which they are. Give them the opportunity to enjoy themselves. It’s about creating an environment where they are all in a happy space. I see many times in this team that all the players are happy for each other’s success. And that’s important,” said the 29-year-old.
