The much anticipated India & Pakistan rivalry is set to be reignited once again on 2nd September when the two sides would lock horns against each other at Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya though isn’t too much bothered about the outside noise. Hardik Pandya pointed out that the India vs Pakistan contest tests the character of the players.
The Men in Green got a reality check when their top order was exposed against Nepal. The likes of Imam-ul-Haq need to play a calm & sensible knock for the team. India would be a tough challenge for the mighty Pakistan cricket team as compared to Nepal as the Babar Azam-led side can’t afford to take India lightly.
We can’t get too emotional- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya was having an interaction with Star Sports and pointed out that the India vs Pakistan contest excited him a lot and said that emotions are attached to the contest. Hardik pointed out that the India vs Pakistan encounter is a mega event and stated that certain decisions can be reckless.
“It’s an event which I’ve seen how it checks your character and personality, and at the same point in time, you can see in how deep waters you can swim. So, for me, all these factors excite me a lot. A lot of emotions are attached by fans. For us, it is about playing a good team, playing a match against a very good side who has done very well in the recent past,” said Hardik Pandya.
“We try to keep the outside noise outside and focus on how we can play good cricket. We can’t get too emotional about it because then, certain decisions can be reckless, which I don’t believe in. But, at the same point in time, it’s a mega event,” he added.
You have to play a good 100 overs of cricket- Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya took a unique stance and said that a cricketer has ample time in the 50-over format and pointed out that the team has to play a good 100 overs of cricket. Hardik stated that the cricketer needs to just watch the game, try to understand what’s happening, and then take a smarter call.
“It’s just that you have a little more time than what you think. It is a game where you have to adapt, you have to get used to the conditions because the game is going on for 50 overs, and to play, to win against a good side, you have to play a good 100 overs of cricket,” said Hardik Pandya.
“As a cricketer, me, my mindset only changes for the fact that I start preparing according to how the ODI format demands, and if the preparation is proper, then I just go out there and read the situation. Half of the time, the situation dictates itself, so you don’t have to use rocket science. You’ve to just watch the game, see, try to understand what’s happening, and maybe take a smarter call,” he added.
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