Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya made his intentions clear about going full throttle for his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) title ambitions as the new season gets underway on March 22.
With the Mumbai Indians not having won the IPL title since 2020 and desperate to add to their five crowns, Pandya was eager for his team to come good and deliver when it matters.
“Playing for India has always been the number one priority and I think winning two ICC trophies for India has always been close to all of our heart. I look forward to all these challenges where MI has not won a title for four years and it has been dry, so yeah there are challenges,” he added.
The star India all-rounder chipped in with his two cents on the contentious Impact Player rule and its effect on all-rounders.
“In the current scenario, it becomes difficult if you are not completely a 50-50 all-rounder to find your place. Going forward this can change or will change, we will have to see. But yes, definitely if you want to encourage more all-rounders they will need a fix spot for them to develop over the years,” he added.
The Gujarat man also felt he has no control over him missing the first match of the season owing to suspension for slow over rate offences from last season.
“That is out of my control. Last year what happened is part of sport. We bowled one and a half minutes or two minutes late in the last overs and at that point of time I didn’t know the consequences of what can happen. It is unfortunate but rule says it, that I have to go with the process. Next year, they continue with it or not it is upto the higher authorities. They can definitely see what is the best that can be done,” he added.
Pandya stated he was energized after a successful Champions Trophy campaign and his confidence is up just as it was prior to CT.
“Just play good cricket and have lots of smile around. How do we turnaround, the answer is by playing good cricket, being with each other and at the same time doing the processes right. Having those plans which the coach and support staff creates, go and execute that to the best of abilities and at the same point of time just enjoy. Given the talent we have, I think its important that we enjoy and look forward to all the games that are coming up.”
“My confidence was good then and my confidence is good now. I was confident when I was playing Champions Trophy and I’m confident now too. My confidence is always high,” he added.
The skipper feels the last one year or so has been of great learnings for him on and off the field.
” My life has been a bit up and down but it has been part of the learnings. It has not just taught me about sport. It has taught me about life as well. This year is a fresh year. 3.0 would be passion, grit and challenges. The crucial part would be how the challenges are thrown at me and how I respond to that and fight my way out. It’s all about how I can add more value to all the players.”
He also saw having three captains in the team as a strength and not a drawback.
” I’m lucky that I have three captains who are playing with me. It adds more and more experience that if I require help there are three different minds who have captained India for different formats. They have so many years of experience that they can put an arm around me and shoulder,” he added.
