Hardik Pandya has emerged as a great all-rounder for India in the limited overs format. Recently because of his consistent performances in the shorter formats, he was given a chance in the test team against Sri Lanka.
Advertisement
The 23-year old Pandya scored a fifty on his test debut and also scored a quick fire century two matches later. He was also a key element in the bowling line-up and grabbed four wickets against Sri Lanka in the test series.
Captain Kohli would be looking to groom him into a player who could do wonders for the side in the 2019 ODI World Cup. In a candid interview with Hindustan Times, Hardik Pandya spoke about his mind set as a player, the recent series against Sri Lanka, his hairstyle and much more.
ALSO READ : Kohli reveals that he cannot play cricket for a long time
Pandya confessed that after a good start in the T20Is, being a part of the Test side is fabulous because he always dreamed of representing India in test matches.
When he was asked about his lifestyle and flamboyance which is similar to that of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, he said “I’ve seen Virat, and the discipline he has, and the confidence he has. I am confident and I want to learn his discipline. I keep on asking questions, try to learn.”
“I might look like a guy who does all kinds of things but actually I am a very reserved person. I may look like I party freak who is not disciplined. But I have a focus on the game and that is always there. It’s okay, people may have issues but it’s just that it’s my nature,” Pandya added.
Hardik Pandya felt that the best thing is the captain doesn’t want him to change. He loves to express himself on the field and it brings out the best in him.
Pandya’s new hairstyle has caught everyone’s attention and on being asked about that he said “ I keep on trying. I don’t do it for anyone. I do it for myself, so I don’t care if you like it or don’t like it. It’s just that I felt like doing it so I did it.”
“It’s like owning your own farm. You can always grow whatever you want. So, khud ki kheti hai, jo ugaana hai ugaalo.”
The youngster said that he doesn’t bother about what people say about him and he has his family who always support him.
While talking about his energetic attitude, Hardik Pandya said that, “I am someone who likes to be charged up. (When in the middle) I only focus on my game and I just want to be ruthless, that’s how I am.”
“I have said in an interview, that ‘if you want to come and fight, I am not the one who will step back’. When I am bowling I am a different guy, when I bat I am a different guy, I don’t react, I don’t smile much, when I bowl I smile, I fight, I show aggression, everything comes naturally.”
Closing out the interview, he said he doesn’t mind being called rockstar.
“But I am Hardik Pandya, who knows his game,” he declared.
