India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya recently admitted his excitement levels on Star Sports ahead of India’s participation in the Asia Cup 2023. Hardik discussed the high-intensity games between India and Pakistan, which are always filled with high emotions by the fans. Pandya believes that irrespective of the opponent, the team needs to make rational decisions on the field while not being overpowered by emotions.
Hardik Pandya opened up about how the T20 format differs from the ODIs, since in the 50-over format a player gets a lot of time on the field considering they have to play hundred overs, and they can plan and plot their strategies with time.
Vice Captain Hardik Pandya on India’s participation in Asia Cup
“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 that has done very well in the recent past. Couple of finals they’ve played and the tension between us is always there. So, for me, we try to keep the outside noise outside, and we focus on how we can play good cricket. At the end of the day, we are cricketers.” said Hardik Pandya on IND vs PAK encounters.
“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 of time, it’s a mega event. It’s an event which I’ve seen how it checks your character, checks your 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 and yeah, I can’t wait,” said Pandya.
“It’s just that you have a little more time than what you think. I believe in T20 as well, you have more time than you think, but at the same time, ODI is a much longer game. 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. That’s when you win the game” discussed Hardik Pandya.
“So as a cricketer, for 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. Because 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,” concluded Hardik.
