Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has replied to former England skipper Michael Vaughan’s “underperformers” comment for the Indian team. The veteran also added that while criticism is inevitable, The team have nothing to prove as well. Notably, the Indian team came under the scanner after their semi-final exit from the T20 World Cup 2022.
In his column for The Telegraph, Michael Vaughan referred to Team India as the most underperforming team in white-ball cricket for failing to do well in the big stages despite having the best resources.
However, while speaking ahead of the T20I series against New Zealand, Hardik Pandya said while they respect different opinions, their job is not to please everyone but to do better in the game as well.
He was quoted as saying by NDTV: “When you do not do well, people will have opinions which we respect. I understand people are coming with different points of view. But being at the international level, I do not think we need to prove anything to anyone. It is a sport, you keep trying and you keep getting better. When the result is supposed to happen, it will happen. But yes, definitely things we need to work on, which we are aware of and we will rectify it.”
Meanwhile, Team India failed to live up to the expectations across departments in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England. Batting first, they could only manage 168 in 20 overs. In reply, England chased it in 16 overs without losing a single wicket as well.
How's that for a Trophy unveil! 🤩 🏆#TeamIndia | #NZvIND
📸 Courtesy: @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/qTazPXpr3R
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 16, 2022
“We will talk about the future later on” – Hardik Pandya on the next T20 World Cup
With the next T20 World Cup taking place after two years, Hardik Pandya added that a lot of players will receive opportunities before the mega ICC event. However, he wants his teammates to live in the present and enjoy the upcoming series in New Zealand.
“T20 World Cup will be almost two years, if I am not wrong. Till then, we have time, and a lot of people will get chances as a lot of cricket will be played. The roadmap starts now, but it is too far ahead right now.
“We have time, we will start having conversations on those grounds, right now, it is about making sure that we let the boys enjoy themselves while playing here. Let them enjoy right now, we will talk about the future later on,” Hardik Pandya concluded.
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