Ever since returning from a back injury, Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder of Team India, has been showcasing remarkable progress in his cricketing career. His meteoric rise can be exemplified by his maiden leadership role in guiding the Gujarat Titans to their Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
Additionally, the ascension to T20I captaincy and becoming the deputy leader in the ODI format further cements his valuable position in the team. His importance was glaringly evident during an Asia Cup ODI against Pakistan, where he heroically rescued the team with a match-saving knock.
On a day where Team India found themselves in a dire situation at 66/4, Pandya emerged as the beacon of hope. He stitched a vital partnership with Ishan Kishan and delivered a splendid innings of 87 runs, elevating India to a respectable total of 266. While rain might have hindered his all-round display later on, it's his resilience and adaptability in crunch moments that underline his significance in the team, particularly in the white-ball format.
However, the cloud of debate hovering around the 28-year-old revolves around his prolonged hiatus from Test cricket. After last featuring in the Test format in 2018, Hardik clearly expressed his focus on white-ball cricket and set aside Test matches as a secondary priority. Now, donning the vice-captain's cap in the Asia Cup, Pandya elaborated on the challenges he faces, particularly concerning workload management.
Describing the intense rigors of being an all-rounder, Pandya mentioned during a session on Star Sports' Follow the Blues, “As an all-rounder, my workload is twice or thrice as anyone else. When a batter in the team goes and bats and finishes his batting and is heading home, I’ll still be bowling after that.”
"So for me, all the managing, all the pushing, and everything happens during the sessions or my training or my pre-camp season," he spoke about his workload management.
"When the game arrives, it is more about whatever the team requires, and the managing side goes out of the park, and it is more practical calls that how many overs are needed for me.
"Because if 10 overs are not needed, there is no point in me bowling 10 overs, but if 10 overs are needed, then I'll be bowling. I always believed that I give myself a chance to succeed, which is by reading the game, which is by backing myself," he added.
Focusing on the mentality and self-assurance an all-rounder needs, Pandya emphasized that one has to trust in their skills entirely. He stated, ""I have realised that no matter what happens, you have to back yourself, you have to believe that you are the best in the world. That does not guarantee you success, but at the same point of time, it does give you and it does guide you to work towards success, so practically back yourself," Hardik concluded.
While this approach doesn't guarantee success, it does forge a path towards it by reinforcing self-confidence and determination, qualities that have been cornerstones in Hardik Pandya's illustrious career.
