I was picked in the T20 World Cup squad as a batter, bowled in a game where I wasn’t supposed to: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has opened up about the criticism he faced due to his inability to bowl in the T20 World Cup 2021. The dasher said he was selected in the squad as a batter and bowled in a match where he wasn’t supposed to. It must be noted that BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma had stated that Pandya has been picked as an all-rounder and will bowl his quota of four overs regularly.

However, that didn’t happen as Pandya didn’t regain his bowling fitness. Although he did bowl in some games, it didn’t help the team much. Notably, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team endured a horrendous campaign in the tournament and couldn’t even clear the group stage. As Hardik didn’t enjoy a fruitful run either, many questioned his selection in the team.

I felt everything was thrown at me: Hardik Pandya

Speaking of the same, Pandya said he felt the entire blame of team’s failure was panned on him. “The position we were in at the World Cup, I felt everything was thrown at me. I was selected in the squad as a batter. I worked hard to bowl in the 1st game, but I couldn’t. I did bowl in the 2nd one even when I wasn’t supposed to,” said the all-rounder on Backstage with Boria.

Meanwhile, Pandya has been out of action since the gala tournament in November last year. He’s now determined to make a full-fledged comeback as an all-rounder. “I want to play as an all-rounder. If something goes bad, then I don’t know but my preparations are all about playing as an all-rounder. I am feeling good, feeling strong and eventually, the time will say what happens,” he added.

It must be noted that another T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place later this year in Australia. Pandya is keen to feature in the competition and take the Men in Blue to glory.

“My main aim is to be at my peak when the World Cup happens. All my training, planning, preparation is keeping the World Cup in mind. I want to win the World Cup for the country. It will make me really happy and proud. It is like an obsession with me,” Hardik was quoted as saying by Economic times.