I can be the perfect No.7 that India are looking for, says Hardik Pandya

Pandya (C) had impressed one and all with his ball smacking this IPL and has deservedly earned his place in the national T20 side.

Within two years of his first-class debut, Hardik Pandya is already knocking on the doors of the Indian cricket team, and the IPL rookie turned instant star is brimming with self-confidence, a trait that had endeared him to his coach in the Mumbai Indians camp, Ricky Ponting.

His unfettered courage, resolute faith in his abilities, and utter nonchalance to pressure created by the magnanimity of an occasion were the things that impressed Ponting the most, and his hard hitting abilities only added to his stature.

In an exclusive interview with bcci.tv, Pandya talked candidly about the ‘IPL that changed his life’ and his eyes on the World T20. Pandya received his maiden call to the Indian team for the T20s in Australia, but instead of being surprised, he told that he was expecting it already.

World T20 is my next goal: Pandya

The 22-year old said that he had the feeling that it would happen soon, given that the selectors were constantly going up to him and applauding him for his efforts. He knew that they had their eyes on him, but despite knowing that it would happen, he said, when it actually happens, 'the feeling is something else.'

The selection notwithstanding, the youngster admits that he has not been up to the mark in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but that the selectors have shown faith in him and backed his batting and bowling abilities.

Having impressed everyone as a T20 specialist just one season into the IPL, Pandya also has his eyes set on the World T20 next year. “I am confident of playing my first game for India in the Australia series and doing well.”

“If I manage that, I will stand a very good chance of getting selected for the World Twenty20 next year. That is my next goal,” he said.

He also believes that the conditions there in Australia would suit his style of cricket as he would enjoy bowling on hard-quick pitches, and batting where the ball comes on nicely. He also expects short deliveries coming his away and is confident that he can play them without flinching.

Before IPL nobody knew me: Pandya

Crediting IPL for who he is now, Pandya told that after the finals of 2015, he knew that this tournament would ‘change his life.’ “Before the IPL, no one knew who Hardik Pandya was. I said after the final that IPL will change my life, and it has.”

“If it wasn’t for the IPL, I would never have met Ricky Ponting, let alone have this wonderful relationship with him. It teaches you so much about your game and about yourself.”

On India’s hunt for a genuine all-rounder, Pandya was quick to pounce on the opportunity and say that he could very well be the all-rounder that India’s been desperately looking for.

“I am definitely eyeing the all-rounder’s position in the team. With my decent pace and batting abilities, I can be the perfect No. 7 that India are looking for,” he said.

His transition from a pure batsman to an all-rounder was also a topic of discussion as he mentioned that while bowling quick leg-breaks in the nets for Baroda, his Ranji side, he impressed the coaches.

He credits his Baroda coach Sanath Kumar for instilling in him the confidence about being a genuine all-rounder. “Our Baroda coach, Sanath Kumar, saw me bowl in the nets one day and convinced me to focus equally on my bowling. He saw a potential all-rounder in me.”

“I started to work hard on my bowling and focused on getting stronger physically so that my body can take the rigours of pace bowling and batting.”

The promising youngster from Gujarat looks all set to make his mark on the international scenes, and given the opportunities that T20 cricket provides with its short yet eventful probability, Pandya needs to focus and make sure that he grabs it with both hands.