Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to make a comeback into the team for the upcoming series against New Zealand. After MS Dhoni’s absence, the Men In Blue have been looking for a perfect finisher for quite a while now. Pandya showed some glimpses of a finisher in the last season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he played some swash-buckling knocks for the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Although, he was unable to repeat those kinds of performances in the 2019 World Cup.
While he is ready to don the Indian outfit once again, Pandya admired the former Indian skipper and revealed that he will never be able to finish the games like Dhoni used to do. But he is looking forward to taking that challenge in the future.
Pandya noted that comparing him and Dhoni is not at all good because he has never ever thought of being compared to the legendary wicket-keeper. He further added that he is quite excited about the challenge in future games.
“I’ll never be able to fill MS’ shoes, so I don’t even think that way. I’m quite excited for the challenge to be honest. Whatever I do, it will be always for the team you know. It will be one step at the ladder and slowly-slowly that Cup will be there!” Pandya said.
The 26-year-old cricketer from Surat has not been seen on the cricketing field since September 2019. However, he is expected to make a return because he has been included in the India A side for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Pandya was out of the game due to back injury he suffered last year. The right-hand batsman underwent surgery and is now keeping up well. Pandya’s last game for the Men in Blue came against South Africa in September last year.
He also believed that his focus will be this year’s ICC T20 Cricket World Cup that will be played in Australia in October.
Hardik started the new year with a bang as he announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend and actress Natasa Stankovic.
The India tour of New Zealand starts from January 24 with a five-match T20I series, which will be followed by a three-match ODI series. Both sides will also play a two-match Test series.
