It’s Not About What I Want, It’s About What The Team Wants: Hardik Pandya On His Role

After two and a half months away from action due to a quadriceps injury, Hardik Pandya made a sensational comeback to the Indian side in the first T20I against South Africa on December 9 (Tuesday) as he hammered 59* off 28 balls while also taking 1/16 with the ball, removing the big fish David Miller. 

On paper, this might look like a trademark Pandya finish after a fine platform, but it was nothing like that as the team was in a real spot of bother at 104/5 after 14 overs, before the right-hander flexed his muscles. Such was the ludicrous impact Pandya created that he was the only batter across both teams to score more than 30 with the bat in hand. And he did so while going at 210 SR while no other Indian batter that faced over 10 balls even managed 150.

Named Player of the Match for his efforts, the 32-year-old spoke about his mindset as he walked in to bat.

“I had to back my shots. I realised the wicket had a bit of spice. I had to be a bit gutsy. It was more about timing the ball, not breaking the ball. I was very satisfied with the way I was batting,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation.

It was a familiar role with the bat for Pandya, but with the ball, he did not bowl inside the powerplay despite having an exceptional record with the new ball, most recently shining up-front with the ball in the Asia Cup. 

Numbers say that Pandya is someone who prefers bowling up-front, but the all-rounder asserted after the game that he is a team man who is ready to deliver for the nation across all phases of the game. 

“As a cricketer, I don’t think I’ve ever been fussy about my role,” Pandya said.

“I’ve always been motivated to make sure it doesn’t matter what Hardik Pandya wants; it matters what India wants. Whenever I get opportunities, I try to do my best. Some days are good, some aren’t, but the mindset always helps me. 

“Throughout my career, I’ve tried to put my team first, the nation first, whichever team I’ve played for. That’s my biggest USP and that’s what has always helped me.”

Pandya, all throughout his career, has had to deal with one injury setback after another, and he spoke about the latest of those setbacks that sidelined him for nearly three months.

“I think the last six or seven months have been really amazing from a fitness standpoint,” he said.

“I don’t make a big deal about the hard work that goes behind it, but at the same time, these last 50 days, being away from your loved ones, spending time at the NCA, making sure everything is covered. It’s very satisfying when you come here and the results follow.”

As it stands, Pandya is one wicket away from becoming the third-ever Indian bowler, after Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, to notch up 100 wickets in T20Is.