India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has shed light on the experience of leading India in the white-ball formats. Pandya led India for the first time in 2022 against Ireland at Dublin and then also led in an ODI against Australia.
The all-rounder said he looks to get the best out of every player as a leader. Pandya was one of the favorites to get the captaincy baton for T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup but Suryakumar Yadav was preferred ahead of him because of injury and workload woes.
Pandya currently leads Mumbai Indians in the IPL but said the experience of leading India at the top level is a different feeling.
“When it comes to leadership, I never doubted myself. I don’t play for roles or the say on my name. It was always about knowing that I am a leader, knowing that I have the power and presence in any team that I play, where all 11 will follow me if I ask them. I always believed that you don’t need to be a captain to be a leader. You can be a leader as a player as well,” Pandya said during a conversation on SGTV.
The all-rounder expressed his gratitude after he was presented with an opportunity to lead India.
“Very fortunate and grateful. I never played for that. But it’s a dream of everyone who starts the journey to just play for India, but captaining is another honour. But that feeling was only for five minutes. After that, it was about thinking what we can do better. I loved the moment for five minutes and cherished it. I don’t keep all these things too close, as it can go anytime”
Pandya revealed he never looks to answer his critics and he tries to get the best out of himself by working hard on his game and fitness.
“It was never about answering questions which people ask, as it is irrelevant for me. For me, what matters is am I happy with what I am doing. The very reason I had to take time off was to get fresh from my own mind and get that vibe. It was to enjoy the sport. When I was working hard, it was for myself, for my own happiness, my own peace and not anyone else. When things are going well, everyone can say I answered critics, but it was never about that. It was about me feeling good about myself,” he said.
Pandya is currently recovering from a quadriceps injury.
