IND vs AUS: "Since He's Gone, All Of A Sudden, That Responsibility Is Onto Me"

India beat New Zealand by 168 runs in the third match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 1, and clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1. The Men in Blue recorded their highest-ever victory by a margin of runs in the shorter format. Skipper Hardik Pandya said that he doesn’t mind playing the role that MS Dhoni used to play for India during the latter stages of his career.

Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 126 off 63 balls to help India reach a mammoth total of 234/4 in 20 overs. Hardik Pandya has performed well with both the bat and the ball. He played a quick-fire innings of 30 runs off 17 balls and impressed with his bowling, registering a figures of 4/16 in his four overs. Pandya was also named Player of the Series for his efforts with both the bat and the ball during the series.

Hardik Pandya And Deepak Hooda (PC-BCCI)

Taking New Roles Is Always That I Look Forward To – Hardik Pandya

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pandya stated that he wanted to bring some calmness to the team when he was batting. Pandya continued that he was ready to give up his strike rate and is looking forward to stepping into new roles.

“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 learnt how to accept and swallow pressure and make sure everything is calm,” Pandya said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“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, then we are chasing the game. I want to lead the front. I’ve been working on my new ball skills,” he added.

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At That Time, I Was Young And Hitting All Around The Park – Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya said that he will take over the role of MS Dhoni and that there is no problem with playing a little slowly as long as the team is winning. Dhoni often relied on rotating the strike and letting his batting partner express himself with more aggressive shots.

MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli. (Photo: Twitter)

“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 onto me. I don’t mind that. We are getting the results. It’s okay if I have to play a little slow,”

Also read: “I Had To Find A Way To Get Him To Try And Do Different Things” – R Sridhar Says Rishabh Pant’s “Stubbornness” Made Him Angry And Frustrated