Hardik Pandya’s selection in the Indian Test squad for the first two Tests against England, announced on Wednesday, came as a surprise to many. Although Pandya did well in the recent India A tour of Australia, a lot of people felt that his game isn’t suited to cricket’s traditional format.
Earlier this year, Pandya made a rapid rise to the top in the T20 format after he was picked for India’s T20I team to face Australia. Soon after, he was part of the Men in Blue’s victorious Asia Cup team and the World T20 side that reached the semi-finals.
The Baroda all-rounder’s highs didn’t last long, though, as a poor IPL season saw him dropped from the national team. Then came India A’s tour to Australia where Pandya’s career was re-born.
“For me, everything changed after my tour of Australia with the India A team. It is a tour that transformed me as a cricketer. I can’t but thank Rahul Dravid enough for his contribution. I understood that there is a mental aspect about the game that needs to be worked upon. He made me mentally stronger,” Pandya said.
If Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya etc make it count at international level, Rahul Dravid's choice to coach U19 & India A will really pay off.
— Het (@hetanshdesai) October 23, 2016
Pandya was, thereafter, picked in India’s ODI team to face New Zealand last month. He would go on to put in a Man of the Match performance on his ODI debut with some disciplined bowling, something that was missing during his earlier spell in the Indian team.
“I don’t think I have learnt more than what I did during those one and half months under Rahul sir. He would tell me about things that I need to try out,” he said.
“I was mentally strong but after interacting with him, I understood that I could get even better. If my bowling is being talked about today, it’s because of Rahul sir and Paras Mhambrey (India A’s bowling coach).”
The 23-year-old also mentioned that just like every other cricketer, playing the longest format of the game was his ambition and this is a dream that has come true for him.
“Playing Test cricket is the ultimate for anyone and I am no different. Yes, this is my biggest achievement till date. In fact, yesterday the Baroda team was travelling to Raipur for their Ranji game. I told the boys that let me stay back in Mumbai for a day. If I don’t get selected, I will join you guys next day. It was the happiest moment,” he added.
Pandya also spoke about the need to adapt in the Indian team, especially when it comes to his batting.
“I used to bat at No. 3 for Baroda and then I have been batting at No. 5 in Ranji Trophy. I have to be realistic that in the Indian team, I can’t bat at No. 5. I would be probably batting at No. 8 or No. 9. I am perfectly fine with it. I am ready to bat at any position,” he said.
