With stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya at the helm, Team India will kick off the new year with a home T20I series against neighbours Sri Lanka. The unpredictable all-rounder is upbeat about his team’s chances in the forthcoming series and believes that their “body language is enough” to terrify the opponents.
Even though the hosts will be without several important players for the series, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, their dominating home record versus the islands makes them the clear favourites for the three-match series. While numerous Indian players are still emotionally affected by their devastating loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2022, stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya is eager to play solid cricket.
The important all-rounder wants to stop the Sri Lankan players who dashed their dreams in the Asia Cup last year, but he is not aiming to settle any scores. Despite having a number of new players in the lineup, Pandya’s India are anticipated to play a fearless brand of cricket.
“No, we’re not looking to settle anything” – Hardik Pandya
“No, we’re not looking to settle anything [after the Asia Cup loss], We want to play good cricket. Yes, we will make them feel like we’re in India, don’t worry about that, I assure and promise you they will feel that they’re playing an international team and that too India in India. So from my boys and my side, we’re going to be clear. We don’t need to go and sledge them, our body language is enough for them to feel a little intimidated which we will do, I promise you,” the stand-in skipper said during the pre-match presser on Monday.
India has never lost a home T20I series against their impending opponents, and this year’s series win will further enhance Hardik Pandya’s leadership reputation. With the 2024 T20 World Cup still in the far future, he is seen as the favourite to succeed the injured Rohit Sharma.
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