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India will ride on their exceptional win over Pakistan when they take on the minnows Netherlands in their second match of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Sydney on Thursday, October 27. And ahead of a clash that the Men in Blue will hope to win, the side's bowling coach has given some reassuring news on star all-rounder Hardik Pandya who seemed to have injured himself while bowling in the match against Pakistan.
"Hardik wants to play all matches. We are not looking at whom to rest. He is an important player for us, he is bowling as well as batting for us. Other than that, his attitude on the ground like in the last match (against Pakistan) he played a crucial innings. We are not going to rest anyone. I think we have a momentum going in the tournament, you need individuals to be in the form as well," Mhambrey said in the press conference.
Mhambrey also heaped praise on Pandya's overall performance against Pakistan, and credited his batting at a tough time in the innings for India, linking his anchoring abilities to Virat Kohli's late onslaught. "Yes, Virat finished the match for us but at such a stage if you want an experienced player to take the match to the end then the pressure will obviously shift on the opposition.
So, I think Hardik deserves a lot of credit for Virat's performance. When he went in to bat the conditions were different I think 4 wickets had already fallen. It was not an easy phase. I think the experience that Hardik brings in is irreplaceable," Mhambrey said.
Mhambrey was also quick to point out the contribution of Arshdeep Singh, who bagged three wickets, including those of Pakistan's dangerous openers Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan. "If we follow him (Arshdeep) for the last couple of years, looking at how he's performed I think the one thing that stands out with that kid is his ability to build pressure.
He did hard work in IPL and he is doing hard work in different phases he bowls (for India) i.e. the first powerplay and then death overs.
"The composure he has shown, the clarity of thought process I think there will be ups and downs in his career but the way he has come back (after Asia Cup) the ability to handle pressure is phenomenal and I am not really surprised the way he has bowled in the first game (against Pakistan). We have a lot of confidence in him and he has a good future."
"Arshdeep is kind of a guy who likes to talk a lot. He had a chat with other senior players like Bhuvi and Shami as well because those guys have played out here (in Australia). It is kind of a learning that he has taken and tried to implement in his game. I had like to give credit to him as well. To be able to go out there and execute and do it yourself the individual skills come in," he added.
