India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya has revealed that he is training, planning, and preparing while keeping the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind. Pandya was dropped from the Indian team after the 2021 T20 World Cup and he has asked to work on his fitness.
The all-rounder hasn’t been bowling consistently after he underwent back surgery. In fact, Pandya has been playing purely as a batter and he was selected as a batsman in the T20 World Cup. The all-rounder also revealed that he was asked to bowl in a match he wasn’t supposed to in the T20I showpiece.
“The position we were in at the World Cup, I felt everything was thrown at me. I was selected in the squad as a batter. I worked hard to bowl in the 1st game, but I couldn’t. I did bowl in the 2nd one even when I wasn’t supposed to,” said the all-rounder on Backstage with Boria.
Pandya added that he wants to play as an all-rounder and contribute to the team’s success in all three departments of the game.
“I want to play as an all-rounder. If something goes bad, then I don’t know but my preparations are all about playing as an all-rounder. I am feeling good, feeling strong and eventually, the time will say what happens,” he added.
Pandya highlighted that he wants to win the T20 World Cup for his team and it’s like an obsession for him to do well for the team in the marquee event.
“My main aim is to be at my peak when the World Cup happens. All my training, planning, preparation is keeping the World Cup in mind. I want to win the World Cup for the country. It will make me really happy and proud. It is like an obsession with me,” Hardik added.
Pandya has the skills to add the finishing touches as he has impressed with his pyrotechnics while playing for the national team as well as Mumbai Indians. However, there is no doubt that Pandya can add more value to the team if he can bowl his quota of overs.
Pandya is not part of the series against West Indies and he will lead the Ahmedabad franchise in the IPL.