West Indies vs India: Hardik Pandya enjoys responsibility of captaincy – It adds a little more flair to my game
India Today
Hardik Pandya captained India for the first time in the two-match T20I series against Andrew Balbirnie's Ireland. He is currently the vice-captain in the West Indies T20Is.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya said that he has enjoyed the responsibilities of captaincy and vice-captaincy for the national team. Back in April-May, Pandya captained the Gujarat Titans to victory in their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Thereafter, he led the Indian team for the first time in the two-match T20I series against Ireland in Dublin. Pandya is currently acting as the vice-captain of the Men in Blue in the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
“I’m very privileged to get the opportunity to even be the vice-captain,” Pandya was quoted as saying.
Pandya, who made his international debut back in 2016, said that captaincy has rubbed off positively on the other aspects of his game.
“I have always enjoyed responsibility and it has added more and more to my game. Whenever I have taken responsibility, it has added a little more flair to my game because it makes me think more and when I think more, it adds more value to my cricket,” he stated.
Hardik also heaped praise on skipper Rohit Sharma for giving players a lot of freedom to express themselves. The Baroda-born cricketer said that with Rohit being the skipper and Rahul Dravid being the head coach, players have got a sense of security regarding their positions in the team.
“Ro (Rohit Sharma) gives you a lot of flexibility and freedom, which is his strength throughout his captaincy stint whenever I have played with him. A lot of credit goes to him and Rahul Dravid the way they have got the team together and making sure a lot of positive mindset comes in and players are feeling secure; they are not looking over their shoulder; making sure they are getting ample chances; they are getting told as well if they are not playing, and that is something which is commendable,” Pandya added.
