I want to be consistent as Virat Kohli: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya, the Baroda all-rounder, has seen a meteoric rise in his career. His entry in the team filled a major crack in the team. Over the last few years, MS Dhoni has been in search of a seam bowling all-rounder. A player who can bowl at decent pace and batsman a batter who can hit big along the way. With Hardik Pandya’s emergence, the problem has been solved.

Pandya’s antics in the field surely indicate his commitment to the game. World T20 was a fruitful tournament for him, but it was his last over against Bangladesh which brought him under the limelight. People still remember the man with the smiling face who defended 2 off three balls.

In a chat with The Indian Express, Pandya shared about his experience he went through during the Bangladesh game, India’s World T20 exit and the things he learnt from Virat Kohli during his time in the Indian team.

Pandya started with describing what exactly was going through his mind when he went in to bowl the last over. Pandya was required to defend 11 runs off the last six balls to save India from the danger of getting knocked out from the tournament. Eventually, the Baroda all-rounder astonished everyone and helped India save the match narrowly by 1 runs. For Pandya it was a ‘miracle day’ and it’/s memory are still afresh in his mind.

“I knew that I was going to bowl the last over. I could make out because I, Ashu bhai (Nehra) and Bumrah had one over left each. 11 runs is not that big in the last over but still it had some cushion.”

“If you remember I was laughing before the over started. I was speaking to the umpire, who told me ‘good luck’. I told him ‘look, after this over either I will be the hero or I will be the talking point for people who want to talk.’

“We were planning for each ball, on what to bowl and what not to. After those two boundaries, they needed two runs in three balls. The game was over there, but how we came back was a miracle. I doubt such things will happen again.”

“We knew that Mahmudullah could hit the ball far, so there was no point bowling him a length ball. We decided to bowl him a wide yorker. First ball went like we had planned. Second ball was also planned but it went for a four. We wanted Rahim to try to go for a glory shot and get out.

“That’s why all three balls I bowled were length balls. We wanted to go close, we knew that 99 per cent they are winning and we have a chance of only 1 per cent. After two fours, Rahim committed the mistake but I thought it was late.”

Pandya credited the miraculous escape to two of the most experienced men in the team –  MS Dhoni and Ashish Nehra. Both spoke with him after every single ball.

“Dhoni bhai has too much of experience, he is very calm and he understands situations very well. When I was hit for two fours he came and said, don’t stress bindaas daal. Ashu bhai has been a father figure for me and for the team.

“He has been a great influence on me; he will straight away say what is good for me and what is not good. He bowls the first over so he will give his feedback to everyone accordingly. He will come and say this wicket is gripping so I should try to bowl slower one. His understanding of the pitches is impeccable.”

India’s journey in the marquee event was limited to the semi-finals where they lost to West Indies. Indian bowlers including Pandya were hammered to all corners. And, except Ashish Nehra, no one could control the sloggers

“They outplayed us. Personally, I don’t like talking about luck but in that game luck was just not in our favor. Two no balls, catches, some of the balls top edged which could have been caught any other day. It was not our day, as a team we did everything right possible. In bowling we tried things but it didn’t click.”

“I was trying to do things, but it didn’t click. Before I got hit, I had bowled two dot balls. Things didn’t pay off, but it’s fine. It’s okay.”

The all-rounder also shared his experience of sharing the dressing room with Virat Kohli and spoke about the things he learned from the batting ace.

“I learnt a lot from Virat. His work ethic is remarkable and that is why he is such a good cricketer. He got success because of hard work. He told me once that if I keep working hard, things will fall in place.”

“He prepares himself in the nets as if he is playing in the match. He gives his extra effort in the gym, he gives his best during fielding. He is fittest guy in world cricket. I want to get consistent like him (Virat).”

Withing a span of few days another T20 carnival is set to begin-The IPL. It was his exploits fro the Mumbai Indians last year that sky-rocketed his career to whole new level. He says that, he wants to contribute more to his team now.

“It is the big stage for any upcoming cricketer. IPL gives a platform and with professional cricketers playing it has helped. I want to contribute more for my team, want to win more games for Mumbai Indians.”

Suresh Raina is excited about playing against MS Dhoni. Check out why? – It’s going to be interesting and emotional to play against Dhoni: Suresh Raina