Hardik Pandya combined with bat and ball sounds better than just batter, says all-rounder
India Today
Hardik Pandya said that he doesn't want to play as a pure batter and is working up his bowling load while taking on the new role of captain of the Ahmedabad franchise in the upcoming season of the IPL.
Hardik Pandya said that he is looking to get back to bowling regularly and does not like the idea of becoming a pure batter. He also said that he will be looking to every team mate in the Ahmedabad franchise, of which he will be the captain in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), equal amount of time.
Pandya was chosen as captain of the team, for which a name is yet to be revealed. "We are starting from scratch and I feel we can create new legacies, we can create new cultures which I want to endorse. It's going to be a very exciting time," Pandya said on Cricbuzz.
"There's no manual of learning how to become a captain," he started. "I've always been a person who likes to take responsibility and I am looking forward to the challenge. As a captain, I want to ensure all the players have enough time from me. That's what I've learnt and I'll make sure my doors will always be open for them.
"When someone is doing well, they don't need anyone. When someone is having a bad day, that's when they need you. As a captain, when someone is doing good, I will not bother them. When someone is down, I'll be always available to them."
Pandya's issues with his back over the last three years has severely curtailed the number of overs he could bowl since returning from the niggle.
"It's been challenging. I've always been someone who contributes with the bat, ball and on the field. When I decided I will just bat, I wanted to spend some time on the ground. We all love challenges and I love to fight it out. Criticism is good and it doesn't really bother me. For me, results do matter but I work hard for the process," he pointed out.
"I've always realised that as an allrounder I give a lot of different options to the team. I'll try to work on being an allrounder and if something doesn't work out then my batting is always there. But Hardik Pandya combined with both bat and ball, it sounds better than just a batter.
