'I Don't Mind Playing The Role That Mahi Used To Play': Hardik Pandya Talks About MSD Post India's Win Over NZ

Hardik Pandya scalped  4/16 in four overs of the spell and also contributed with the bat by scoring 30 off 17 balls. 

MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya.

Source : Getty

The Indian team recorded a brilliant 168-run win over New Zealand in the third T20I in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Shubman Gill starred with the bat as he smashed an unbeaten 126 and powered India to a huge 234/4 in 20 overs. In reply, the Kiwis were bowled out for just 66. The Men in Blue skipper Hardik Pandya scalped  4/16 in four overs of the spell and also contributed with the bat by scoring 30 off 17 balls.  He was also named Player of the Series for his outstanding run both with bat and ball during the three T20Is.

"I've always enjoyed hitting sixes. But that's life, I've to evolve. I've believed in partnerships and I want to give my batting partner and my team some assurance and calmness that I'm there. I've played more games than any of these guys, I've learnt how to accept and swallow pressure and make sure everything is calm," Pandya said in the post-match press conference.

"Maybe I have to get my strike rate down for that. Taking new roles is always that I look forward to. I want to take the new ball role too, because I don't want anyone to come and take that difficult role. If they're under pressure, then we are chasing the game. I want to lead the front. I've been working on my new ball skills."

Pandya also talked about former India skipper MS Dhoni and said, "I don't mind playing the role that somewhere down the line, Mahi used to play. At that time, I was young and hitting all around the park. But since he's gone, all of a sudden, that responsibility is onto me. I don't mind that. We are getting the results. It's okay if I have to play a little slow”.

Squads:

India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jitesh Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Prithvi Shaw.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rippon, Dane Cleaver, Henry Shipley, Ben Lister.