“The most important thing is to win the World Cup. I don’t think there can be any greater resolution. I really want to win the World Cup, so we will try to do everything we can… to get there. and give I think things are looking bright and hopefully they are,” Hardik said on the eve of the T20 three-game series against Sri Lanka.
Hardik said he would ideally like his group of men to never deviate from the model of fearless cricket. Hardik was quick to admit that the tinkering of the approach during the T20 World Cup affected the team.
“Before the World Cup, I don’t think we did anything wrong. Our model, our approach, our everything was the same. Just that in the World Cup things didn’t go the way we wanted and I think our approach wasn’t exactly what it was before the World Cup,” Hardik said.
His advice to the team is simple: get out there and speak out.
“What we noticed and what we told the boys is that you just have to go out there and express yourself, what they will do and it’s up to us how we We said we will support you to the heart. All the players have this support from me that I will support them to the heart. I have to make them believe that,” the all-rounder said.
The new skipper knows that the T20Is are not a priority in ODI World Cup year and they only have six games in the shortest format (three against New Zealand after this series) before the IPL, but going forward the youngsters will have enough chances to feel safe.
“We are looking to play a certain way, which we will. Before the IPL there are only six games, so we don’t have a lot of time to do a lot of things. But, at the Going forward, we’ll continue to create new plans and see which plans hold and which ones work for us. And, going forward, make sure everyone has plenty of opportunities,” Hardik said.
A serious prospect like Umran Malik would certainly have its share of chances.
“Obviously he (Umran) has pace. Everyone knows what an exciting prospect he is. We will give him enough opportunities, give him enough support and support from our side so that he can blossom.”
India’s bowling in the T20Is has been a problem since Jasprit Bumrah’s injury and the skipper’s mantra is simple.
“Just ask my bowlers to throw the best balls possible. And I think, playing at international level, they are good enough to throw them.”
For Hardik, each of his achievements is due to the tremendous hard work he put in which resulted in a great 2022 for him at the T20 Internationals.
“Obviously a year ago things were quite different. When I quit the sport (due to a stress fracture in my lower back) that was my call to get out and hang out and to improve. It was a magical year for me, obviously (I wish the World Cup had come with that. But that’s part of life. We tried but it didn’t work, but for moving forward what’s next and what I want to achieve, there’s a lot to achieve. I haven’t achieved anything,” Hardik said.
On managing his bowling workload, Hardik says the only “language” he knows is “the language of hard work.”
“You see, I know the language of hard work. I don’t think I’ve known any other language in my life. I’ve been thrown here and there, the only thing that kept me coming back is my hard work. How I manage it is thanks to my hard work.
“I believe in my processes, which brought me here and I’m sitting here. So also going forward, the only thing I’m going to focus on is making sure I’m giving my body enough chances. to be out there and be my best,” he concluded.
(With PTI entries)
