Putting all hard work to play as an all-rounder: Hardik Pandya

Prior to the T20 World Cup in the Middle East, Hardik Pandya role as an all-rounder was integral to India’s success in the shortest format. However, poor show from the all-rounder combined with his injury issues forced India to play him purely as a batter, a move that didn’t pay off. 

In the aftermath of the disastrous exit, the all-rounder was not considered for selection, with Venkatesh Iyer taking his place in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand at home. But with Iyer’s poor show in South Africa, Pandya is putting the hard yards to mark a return to the Indian setup. 

"That’s my plan. I want to play as an all-rounder. My preparation is all about playing as an all-rounder. If something goes bad, then I don’t know. But my preparation, my hard work is all about playing as an all-rounder," said Pandya on ‘Speaking on Backstage with Boria’. 

"I am feeling good, feeling strong and eventually the time will say what exactly happens."

Recently, the all-rounder was picked as the skipper for the newly formed Ahmedabad side, alongside Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill. All reports point towards the Indian selectors picking Hardik in the squad for the three-match T20I and ODI series against West Indies.