Indore: He has become the cynosure of all eyes with his six-hitting prowess but Hardik Pandya has said that it’s not a skill he has developed overnight as he has been clearing the ropes easily since childhood.
Twice in the ongoing series against Australia – at Chennai and then at Indore – Pandya has seized the momentum for India with his big-hitting abilities.
Asked if his bludgeoning 76-run knock against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final was the turning point for him, Pandya politely made a statement after his match-winning knock of 78 here Sunday.
“If you want to think that way, you can, I have no problems. I played well in the IPL before that. Last year’s IPL wasn’t great for me, so I worked hard, and the form came back,” Pandya told reporters here.
“And I used to hit sixes before too, it’s just that I am hitting them at a higher level now. I have been hitting sixes since childhood otherwise,” the Baroda player added
Further talking about his ability to hit sixes at will, Pandya said he prefers reading the game before making his shot selections.
“It’s not just about hitting. It’s pretty important that I read the game. That time (in Chennai) I thought that (Adam) Zampa was bowling and I knew that I could hit a six off him anytime I wanted to. That’s why I waited till the seventh over and then I got the opportunity to change the momentum and grabbed it with both hands,” the all-rounder pointed out.
“I tried and it came out pretty well. That’s just my thinking. It’s all about being positive and backing yourself,” he added.
Pandya, who usually bats at No.7 was promoted to No.4 in the game Sunday. He however pointed out that it did not matter to him where he bats.
“It does not make any difference where I bat,” Pandya asserted. “I see these situations as opportunities. When I was told I was going to go out to bat next, I was happy. This is the first time I played so many balls, so it was great.”
With his consistent performances, Pandya is expected to carry the weight of expectations like other star players of the team. However, the all-rounder stated that he does not think that way.
“I don’t think that much. I focus only on the things, on the immediate job at hand. Right now I am just playing my cricket, backing myself. If you back yourself, you always come out on top. I mean you can’t score everyday but yeah, backing yourself is pretty important,” he pointed out.
Press Trust of India
