Hardik Pandya is ready to fulfil the role of MS Dhoni

As a T20 cricket player, Hardik Pandya thinks he has advanced to the point where he can handle pressure and take on any position for his side. I could smash a six whenever I wanted, he declared at a press presentation around six years ago. Now that the game is more advanced, Hardik is “okay” to take a back seat and take on the role that MS Dhoni played near the end of his international career.

I admit that I’ve always enjoyed knocking down sixes, but life requires that I change “In Ahmedabad, Hardik led India to a 2-1 series triumph over New Zealand. “I have to say that I’ve always valued partnerships in the other section. I want to instil greater composure and the knowledge that at least I’m there in the other person and my team. I’ve participated in more games than any of those other guys. As a result, I have experience, but more than experience, it is from my time as a batter that I have learned how to deal with pressure, how to sort of swallow the pressure, and how to generally keep the team and everything else in check.

India captain #HardikPandya said that he's had to tweak his game as per the requirement of the team #MSDhoni https://t.co/WaPski3LcX

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) February 2, 2023

He added ”In such case, perhaps I should decrease my strike rate or… I have always looked forward to accepting new possibilities or responsibilities. I have no problem stepping in and taking on the position that Maahi [Dhoni] formerly filled. I believe I was inexperienced and hitting everywhere in the park at the time, but since he passed away, that obligation has suddenly become mine. I just naturally thought of doing it, and I don’t mind. It’s okay since we’re receiving the outcome we wanted.”

On Wednesday, Hardik played that role with the bat, frequently feeding the strike to Shubman Gill, who was set up well, and allowing him do the big-hitting, even though Hardik had a strike rate of 176.47 for the game. Hardik has improved as a bowler as well; he is now routinely bowling the challenging overs for India during the powerplay while Jasprit Bumrah is sidelined due to injury.