India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in sublime form. He was at his best during the T20 World Cup Super 12 Group B match against Pakistan as he first claimed three wickets and then he played a crucial knock of 40 runs to help the Indian team register a four-wicket win.
The year 2022 has been stunning for him, as he first led Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title, and then he has given some crucial performances for the national side as well.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya once again made headlines in the game, and he has given the most sensible take on running out the non-striker if he/she is backing up too far ahead when the bowler is about to deliver the ball as well.
However, this mode of dismissal came under scrutiny once again when India’s Deepti Sharma ran England’s Charlie Dean out during an ODI.
“We need to stop making a fuss about this running out the non-striker. It is a rule, as simple as that. To hell with the spirit of the game, if it is there, it is there. Personally, I have no problem with it. If I am out of my crease, and someone runs me out, it is fine. It is my mistake,” Hardik said on the latest episode of ‘ICC Review’.
At a loss for words… Wouldn’t have preferred anyone else with me out there @imVkohli 👑🫡 One of the best games of my life 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jWge1qy5lj
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) October 23, 2022
“Matchups don’t work for me, see where I bat and the situation I get into, I do not get the option of matchups. You see matchups are more for the people who are batting in Top 3 or 4. For me, it is just the situation. There have been times, when I would like to take on a bowler, but if the situation does not demand it, I do not take that risk as it is going to harm my team,” he further added.
“Matchups, it is over-rated” – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya further stated that he is not someone who is too keen on the match-ups and is also worried about the same. The Baroda all-rounder added:
“I am never okay with that. Matchups, it is over-rated. I do not mind saying it, in T20 cricket, it is over-rated. In ODIs and Tests, it might work but in T20s, I do not believe it. Yes, I have not won a World Cup, but I have won other tournaments and I do not think I have ever worried about matchups.”
However, he also spoke about his ambitions as well. Notably, he had done a lot of work which has paid off too.
“Ever since I have made a comeback, the ambition is to the best version of myself and to get the best out of myself. I am running towards, not greatness I would say, but excellence. I am running towards excellence, if I want to achieve something, I think it would be excellence, not the performance. At the end of my career, if I can say to myself, you know what Hardik, you achieved excellence at one point of time, it would be great,” Hardik Pandya concluded.
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