{"id":232195,"date":"2025-02-05T08:16:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T08:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/05\/i-dont-play-for-hardik-pandya-i-play-for-india-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/"},"modified":"2025-02-05T08:16:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T08:16:17","slug":"i-dont-play-for-hardik-pandya-i-play-for-india-cricket-news-the-times-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/05\/i-dont-play-for-hardik-pandya-i-play-for-india-cricket-news-the-times-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I don’t play for Hardik Pandya, I play for India’ | Cricket News – The Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"‘I<\/div>


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n

Hardik Pandya (ICC Photo)<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NEW DELHI: India’s star all-rounder is brimming with confidence. He is eager to step onto the field, send the ball soaring into the stands, and rattle the stumps with his fiery bowling. Known for turning games on their head, Hardik Pandya<\/a> is all set for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy<\/a>.
India will play all their ICC Champions Trophy matches at the Dubai International Stadium, beginning their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.<\/p>\n

The much-awaited clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is set for February 23, followed by their final league-stage encounter against New Zealand on March 2.
In an interview shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday, Pandya reminisced about the electrifying 2022 T20 World Cup showdown between India and Pakistan in Melbourne\u2014a match India won by four wickets.
Having claimed three wickets in that game, Pandya reflected on how he handled the immense pressure of the high-stakes encounter against Pakistan.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Rohit Sharma’s batting in ODIs has been game changing: Shubman Gill<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“It is just about who handles pressure better. I don’t play for Hardik Pandya; I play for the team. I play for India\u2014that’s the goal. Whether that means playing just two balls at the end or batting for 60 balls, the focus is on taking the game ball by ball and getting closer to victory. Let\u2019s see who cracks under pressure,” Pandya told in an interview posted by ICC.
India began their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan, winning the toss and electing to field in front of a packed crowd at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“When I entered the field and saw the atmosphere\u2014the kind of energy the fans and spectators were bringing\u2014it was just amazing. I had to take a moment to absorb it. Even though I have played many games, it was overwhelming in a way that made me both excited and happy. The atmosphere for this match, especially since it was India vs. Pakistan, just took everything up a notch. This rivalry has existed for years. While we have intense competition on the field, there are also so many emotions involved. The engagement, the excitement\u2014it’s a clash that people remember and eagerly wait for.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Will Rohit Sharma win another ICC trophy? Here’s what the horoscope says<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“My plan was very simple: to back my strengths and be smart about it. In the first two balls I bowled, I got a little too excited by the Australian bounce and the wicket. As a result, I bowled a couple of deliveries that turned out to be boundary balls in those conditions. When I came in for my second spell, we obviously needed wickets. I was aware that they were going to put the accelerator on and try to score boundaries to reach a decent total. That\u2019s when I realized that sticking to good balls would be the key.
“I have always been someone who relies on good length and lines\u2014that is my strength. I definitely don\u2019t have the variations or skill set of Jasprit Bumrah<\/a>, but I do possess Hardik Pandya\u2019s skill set. For me, bowling back-of-a-length deliveries has always been a strength. It’s more about gamesmanship, awareness, and using my skills effectively.
“I was aggressive\u2014I wanted to take wickets. My mindset was: \u2018If you want to hit me, hit me off a good ball.\u2019 That approach helped me take those two wickets. Just before that, I had kept the mid-on and mid-wicket fielders up, but for that particular ball, I sent one fielder back because I sensed he was going to go after me. I knew where my deliveries were landing and where the most likely scoring areas were\u2014especially mid-wicket. Taking those wickets was quite satisfying,” Pandya, who dismissed Shadab Khan, Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz, said.
India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory, driven by Virat Kohli<\/a>‘s masterful unbeaten 82 off 53 balls.<\/div>\n