Rain played a spoilsport in the previous Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan, leaving the fans completely disappointed. Both teams shared points and now the arch-rivals will face off again in the Super Four leg of the continental event on Sunday in Colombo. Pakistan will come to this match having defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in their previous match, while the Rohit Sharma-led team will play their first match of the Super Four stage.
Ahead of the mouth-watering match, Indian vice-captain Hardik Pandya spoke about his role as an all-rounder in the side and how he backs himself before batting or bowling.
“As an all-rounder, my workload is two or three times like anyone else. When a batsman in the team goes to bat and finishes his batting and goes home, I will still be bowling afterwards. So for me, it’s all about managing, all the pushing, and everything happens during the sessions or my training or my pre-camp season. When the match arrives, it’s more about what the team needs, and the management side goes out of the park, and it’s more practical conversations how many overs are needed for me,” Hardik told Star Sports.
“Because if it doesn’t take 10 overs, there’s no point in bowling 10 overs, but if it takes 10 overs, then I’m going to bowl. I’ve always believed in giving myself a chance to succeed, and that’s by reading the game, that is by supporting myself, because I have always believed that when we go as a believer, when I stand there, yes, my ten players, my ten brothers are around me, but at the same time I am just me,” he added.
The all-rounder further stated that he has to back himself while bowing as the opposition wants him to make a mistake.
“When bowling, I have to fully support myself because the opponent, the batsman, wants me to make a mistake. At the same time, as a batsman, yes, there are two people batting, he is there with me fighting, but there there are also eleven on the ground against me, and at the same time it could be the crowd or something,” Hardik said.
“So what I’ve realized is that no matter what happens, you have to stand up for yourself, you have to believe that you are the best in the world. That doesn’t guarantee you success, but at the same time it gives you you and it guides you to work towards success, so support yourself practically,” he added.
Besides the Asia Cup, Hardik has also been appointed as vice-captain of Team India for the upcoming ODI World Cup.
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