India’s T20I captain Hardik Pandya has been riding high on success as he has managed to maintain his perfect series win record as Indian captain. The all-rounder, who has been leading the Men in Blue in the T20 format, ever since India’s exit from the T20 World Cup last year, has registered his fourth straight T20I series win in a row after Team India defeated New Zealand by 168 runs in the third T20I match in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday,
Hardik Pandya was also named the Player of the Series for his all-round show throughout the series. He first scored 30 runs from 17 balls and then picked up four wickets with the ball as well. He returned with impressive figures of 4-0-16-4.
Meanwhile, after the end of the T20I series, Hardik stated that he doesn’t mind winning the Man of the Series award and also added that the real winners are the backroom staff and he has won it for them. He also discussed the change in his role with time and said that despite enjoying big sixes, he has now started adapting his game according to the demand of the situation
“I’ve always enjoyed hitting sixes. But that’s life, I’ve to evolve. I’ve believed in partnerships, and I want to give my batting partner and my team some assurance and calmness that I’m there. I’ve played more games than any of these guys, I’ve learned how to accept and swallow pressure and make sure everything is calm.”
“Maybe I have to get my strike rate down for that. Taking new roles is always that I look forward to. I want to take the new ball role too, because I don’t want anyone to come and take that difficult role. If they’re under pressure, when we are chasing the game. I want to lead from the front. I’ve been working on my new ball skills,” he said during the presentation ceremony.
Further, the star all-rounder said that he is ready to play the role MS Dhoni used to play during his cricketing days. For the unversed, Dhoni started playing a supporting role, in order to allow the youngsters to make space for themselves in the team and express themselves fully. Hardik said:
“I don’t mind playing the role that somewhere down the line, Mahi used to play. At that time, I was young and hitting all around the park. But since he’s gone, all of a sudden, that responsibility is on me. I don’t mind that. We are getting results. It’s okay if I have to play a little slow,”
