Hardik Panyda’s preparation during suspension: The Indian all-rounder is believed to have done the hard yards in Baroda.
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The news of India all-rounder Hardik Pandya being called up to the Indian squad for the ongoing tour of New Zealand has come as a respite for Pandya himself and the Indian team management.
Being a vital member of the Indian squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Pandya hasn’t played international cricket since September last year. In such circumstances, it becomes imperative to give him as much match practice at the highest level as possible.
In a recent interview with India today, former India wicket-keeper Kiran More was vocal about being impressed from the all-rounder after he watched him hitting the ball ‘cleanly’.
“When I was working with him [Hardik Pandya] in my academy in Baroda, I saw him hitting the ball cleanly. I asked him how he had managed to retain that touch. He told me, ‘Sir, I hit a thousand balls in Australia when I was removed.’ That’s the way to do it,” More told India Today.
Hailing from the same city, More has seen the talented all-rounder from a young age. Being asked about what he remembers about Pandya, More recalled him as someone who ‘wanted to win’.
“I remember him as a very talented cricketer, who wanted to do everything – bowl, bat, field and he wanted to win. I am just happy he will get to play cricket again,” he said.
The 56-year old admitted that Pandya made a mistake but didn’t shy away from saying that things were blown ‘out of proportion’. “He made a mistake and apologized. I think things were blown out of proportion. He doesn’t have a bad track record on the field. I have known him for long. There is not single cricket misbehaviour I remember,” More concluded.
