'We Just Need To…' - Hardik Pandya Shares Mantra For Winning World Cup 2023
Pandya during a practice session on Chennai (Source: AFP)
India's premier seam bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is confident that the Men in Blue can use the pressure of expectations to their advantage in the ongoing 2023 World Cup.
The number one ranked ODI team in the World, Team India is set to commence their World Cup journey with a thrilling encounter against the five-time champions, Australia, in Chennai on October 8.
Before this highly anticipated clash, Pandya emphasized that they intend to play a fearless, expressive brand of cricket in their home conditions, aiming to bring the World Cup home after a 12-year gap since their last ODI World Cup win in 2011.
"We have got some world-class batters and world-class bowlers. We just need to come together, play fearless, take the pressure and expectation to our advantage and continue what we have done. It is exciting with a lot of expectations, but at the same time, we are going to get a lot of love and support and cheers which is going to get the best out of us. We have done really well and we just need to turn that moment into World Cups and we are confident this year we will be able to," said Hardik Pandya in an interview with ICC.
Since 2022, Pandya has amassed 472 runs in 14 innings at an average of 33.71, including four half-centuries. With the ball, he has bagged 22 wickets in 19 ODIs. While these stats may seem ordinary by his standards, his performances in the Asia Cup demonstrated his readiness for the World Cup challenge.
As the primary seam bowling all-rounder, Pandya's presence not only strengthens the bowling department but also adds depth to the batting lineup.
His role at number 6 and his ability to provide incisive pace bowling will be crucial for India's quest for the World Cup title, akin to the significant contributions made by Yuvraj Singh and Ben Stokes in the 2011 and 2019 editions of the ODI World Cup.
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