India’s campaign in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has been marred by persistent rain, affecting both of their matches thus far. In the group stage, the Men in Blue secured a dominant 10-wicket victory over Nepal in a rain-curtailed encounter. However, their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan had to be abandoned due to the rain gods’ interference.
As they move into the Super-4 stage, India are gearing up for their first encounter against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, scheduled for Sunday, September 10. Pakistan comes into this contest with momentum, having achieved a resounding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their inaugural Super-4.
Hardik Pandya opens up about his workload
In the lead-up to this eagerly awaited showdown between the arch-rivals, Hardik Pandya, an Indian all- rounder, sheds light on his workload management and the integral role he plays as an all-rounder in the team.
“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. 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,” Hardik was quoted as saying to Star Sports.
“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 because I have always believed that when we go as a believer, when I’m standing there, yes, my ten players, my ten brothers are around me, but at the same point of time I’m alone,” the 29 -year-old added.
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The significance of self-confidence
In addition, Hardik highlighted the importance of self-belief, especially when it comes to his bowling performance. He acknowledged that the opposition often looks to exploit any potential mistakes he might make on the bowling front.
“What I have realized is 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,” the Choryasi-born cricketer said.
“So what I have realized is 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.
